1
Modern Video Games / Re: The Nintendo Switch (Formerly NX) - March 2017
« on: December 19, 2016, 03:39:05 pm »
I would be so happy if Gamecube games appear on the Switch... It would make sense for Nintendo to do so. Fingers crossed!
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
2
Video Showcase / Top Ten Must Have Dreamcast Games
« on: December 19, 2016, 03:36:31 pm »
Recently made a video discussing my ten favourite Dreamcast games. Which games would you suggest as some of the must haves?
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaDN-KLZAwU
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaDN-KLZAwU
3
Video Showcase / Dreamcast Exclusives & Hidden Gems!
« on: November 29, 2016, 07:14:58 am »
Recently created a video discussing various Dreamcast exclusives and hidden gems for the system. There's so many great games to choose from so let me know your choices!
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6t2b3Fs_MI
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6t2b3Fs_MI
4
Video Showcase / Original Xbox Exclusives & Hidden Gems
« on: November 18, 2016, 07:59:19 am »
Recently created a video discussing various original Xbox exclusives as well as a few hidden gems.
Here's the kink to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gRbH0hzMYQ&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
If you would prefer to just have a old fashioned read here is the script for the video. Let me know any exclusives or hidden gems you have enjoyed in the past!
Jet Set Radio Future
Now if you were to ask me, Jet Set Radio was one of the best things to come out of Sega’s last but immortal console the Dreamcast. I mean who the hell wouldn’t want to blast around on fucking Rocket skates whilst listening to music with enough energy to send you in to a fit. Developed by smile bit and released in 2002, the sequel to our first taste of the franchise blessed the Xbox, with all the originals quirks still in place the game did nothing but improve upon the staples that had made the first outing so memorable. You take control of many characters that make up a gang called the GG’s and are on a mission to gain control of a futuristic Tokyo as you skate, fight and spray for territory. It’s all very light hearted, it oozes confidence and style a bit like our pal Cliff who never seems to age and only gets better every time you see him. Jet Set Radio Future is one of those games you will find yourself coming back to so often… Maybe its the visuals, that pop in to life in one of the best cel shaded styles ever conceived or it could be the addictive gameplay that will see jumping around the world like your arse just got caught in trap. This is one hell of a game and you will have nothing but fun with it.
Ninja Gaiden Black
Ninja Gaiden Black is fucking hard, it will ruin you and probably your friendships as well but don’t let that deter you from one of the best original Xbox exclusives. Released in 2004 and brought to us by the same guys who like to perfectly sculpt animated tits. Ninja Gaiden Black is like a bitchy girlfriend… No matter how many times she treats you like shit… Your still going to go back for more of that loving and this is so true… No matter how many times I died within the game I refused to put the controller down and give up, its one of those titles that literally challenges you to get better almost taunting you at times. Taking control of Ryu its your job to slash through waves of enemies that come at you from all angles, your empowered with many abilities that even the odds such as running on walls and water that all help to keep the flow of the combat enjoyable and rewarding.
Amped
Many games had tried to capture the essence of Snowboarding but none of them really stood out to me, that is until Amped was released for the original Xbox in 2001. Developed by Indie built and published by Microsoft Game Studios, Amped would see you taking to the mountains as you pursue a career in snowboarding… By gaining sponsorship's, it is possible to advance through the game and unlock new areas as well as items that you can customise your character with. The gameplay as you would expect is tight, but where this game really excels is with its visuals. This was a launch title for the system and really showcased what the Original Xbox was capable of… Due to the consoles hard drive it was also possible for Indie Built to load entire mountains, instead of just the usual linear courses that we had been used to in previous games, of the same nature…. Unfortunately the sequel decided to go all tony hawk and act like every person who snowboards is a jackass reject but that doesn’t apply here in the first outing. If your looking for a realistic, down to earth snowboarding game… This is the one to get.
Blinx
Do you like cute cats? Do you like hoovering the house? How about bending time? What if I told you some nutter decided to combine all of these elements in to an action platforming game? Well your in luck the crazy fuckers over at Artoon introduced Blinx the time sweeper to us way back in 2002 and it quickly became on of my favourite games for the system. The premise is simple… Your a cat, with a hoover that posses time traveling abilities…. that really is the premise… You traverse each environment whilst taking out enemies that are hell bent on screwing up time and its your job to put it right. Blinx’s hoover allows you to control time with six different variations… Rewind, Fast Forward, Pause, Record, Slow and retry… that can all be used in order to manipulate enemies as well as the environment. In order to gain these controls you must collect time crystals that appear in the games world… These abilities can be triggered at anytime but are limited by how many Time holders you possess. The cute art style and intriguing gameplay always kept me coming back for more…. Blinx is simply a pure joy to play and I could not recommend it highly enough.
Blood Wake
Blood wake was released for the original Xbox upon launch and introduced us to a game that basically feels just like Twisted Metal but on water. Offering a pretty robust story mode with 28 missions that will get you accustomed to the games controls and mechanics, You play as Shao Kai who is on a mission seeking revenge against his brother who left him for dead… Ok the story is not the games strong point but where blood wake really shines is within the various multiplayer modes it offers. As well as being able to choose the vehicles and weapons presented in the single player campaign, the multiplayer modes introduce more customisation and gives you the ability to really play around with the different setups of each ship. In order to get the most out of the game it is crucial that you complete the campaign as all that good stuff is unlocked due to your progression…
Dead Or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball
Now before I go any further this is only on the list due to the amount of ass and tits this game offers… Why else would it be on here…. If you don’t agree with that, your either gay, a feminist or just a plain cunt. Theirs no beating around the bush with this game… Well there kind of is if you know what I mean but yeah its probably not best to mention that…. So, as the title implies Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball allows you to take that step into becoming a man and accepting that ass and tites of all sizes and shapes all need loving equally…. Also offering the chance to play a very well thought out volleyball mode, this game is great for those times when the Internet has decided to stop working in your home. Yes I enjoy watching digital ladies bounce around, do i have issues?… Quite possibly but that doesn’t change the fact that this game is actually really good and includes a generous amount of different modes that sees you participating in many activities… The only thing holding this game back from pure and utter perfection… Is the lack of a one handed control scheme…
Dino Crisis 3
When I heard the news that Dino Crisis 3 would be taking place in space, I wondered what the hell the developers had been sniffing and where it was possible to acquire this substance to try out for myself. Alas after many emails and phone calls to Capcoms customer support team…. I was no closer to acquiring this illusive drug. So instead I decided to wait for the game to come out before completely passing judgement on it. And I’m glad i waited, because Apart from its complete change of scenery Dino Crisis 3 is still the same old Dinosaur slaying game we all know and love from the Psone days. Originally planned for both the Xbox and Playstation 2 Dino Crisis 3 would set up camp on Microsoft's new power house and introduce us to the latest happenings within the universe. Set in the year 2548 it is your job to investigate a space ship that has been missing for 300 years. Unlike the earlier installments the enemies in the game are not real dinosaurs. They are mutations created from DNA extracted from various species…. But that does not mean that they are any nicer, they still want to rip your head off with any chance they get. Arguably not as good as the first two, but still worth a go.
Sega GT 2002
You’ve got to realise when the Xbox came out it managed to introduce many new features to gamers that had not been possible before. With the inclusion of a hard drive inside the console it was possible to slam in a music CD and rip it to the system. By doing this you now had access to your favourite music whilst playing games and Sega GT 2002 is the first title I tried this with and probably contributed to the many fond memories I have of playing it. Admittedly not the best racing game on the system but after having so much fun with the original on the Dreamcast I was looking forward to this one. With a healthy selection of cars and tracks there is plenty to keep you busy as you work your way through the vigorous career mode and begin to perfect your driving skills. Although lacking an online multiplayer mode which was saved for an updated release a year later… You can still enjoy the game with a friend and take advantage of the various modes available to you as well as the cars you earn throughout the games campaign.
Gunvalkyrie
I'm probably going to butcher the shit out of this name but here goes… Gunvalkyrie is a third person shooter developed by those lovable bastards that brought us Jet Set Radio, Smilebit… Published by Sega in 2002 the game possess a pretty unique control scheme that at first turned me off… Using two analogue sticks for its primary form of input wasn’t really a good idea, but after repeatedly throwing my controller at the screen, it all finally clicked and what was once a chore become nothing but a joy. The game has a flow to it, and almost rhythmic aspect that really contributes to the gameplay as you dart around the 10 levels that comprise the adventure. You take control of Kelly who works for an elite military force and are tasked with tracking down the whereabouts of a Dr Gate whos research and scientific breakthroughs threaten to change everything that is known about the world. Originally in development for the Sega Dreamcast and with the intention to use an even more bizarre control scheme that included a light gun as well as a controller, I'm glad the game made the jump to the Xbox. Make sure you give this one a go!
Xyanide
Released for the Xbox back in 2006, Xyanide is shoot em up that was developed by play logic entertainment… As with most shoot em ups, you are presented with a variety of different enemy types and must take them down whilst making your way through each stage. Many gaming critics did not receive the game well taking issues with the game controls and level design that apparently felt bland… Because of this Xyanide has gone by largely unnoticed by many, it was far ahead of it's time when originally released, and has held up extremely well with age. If you're looking for a more classical style of game where you can turn off your brain and annihilate wave after wave of enemies as you dodge obscene amounts of enemy fire, Xyanide is for you.
Otogi: Myth of Demons
A hack and slash game developed by FromSoftware, Otogi was unleashed upon the Xbox fanbase way back in 2002. You take control of Raikoh who was born in to a clan of executioners and is tasked with killing his own father… Instead of fulfilling his orders Raikoh decides to flee and takes with him the soul shrine… An ancient sword possessed by the clans leaders. Upon escaping the seal separating the demon and human worlds is broken… Raikoh is almost killed but ultimately saved by a princess who gives him a new body in exchange for his services and so you begin your quest to restore the seal and stop the ones responsible for its collapse. Possessing destructible environments and a huge 29 stages that comprise the campaign mode, your in for one hell of a ride… Taking cues from many of the genres contemporaries, the gameplay never fails to impress and kept me on the edge of my seat as I made it through the story. The Battle system is elegant, but quite simple...theirs not a lot of room for customisation, but it works. Difficulty sometimes can be a pain in the ass, but only a few stages cause trouble. If you can find this game lying about I recommend you pull the trigger and pick it up.
Phantom Dust
This was one of the last games to appear on the original Xbox right before the 360 was released and for this reason it largely went unnoticed by many gamers. I’ll be honest with you the thought of another run of the mill shooting based game never got me hard but the way in which Phantom Dust presents itself completely took me by surprise. Combining strategy and fast action the gameplay is incredibly deep and a lot of fun once you get the hang of things. It has some issues though, the targeting system can become a bit of a pain in the ass as well as the combat becoming repetitive but bored beneath the dusty clunk fuck of a single player campaign is a delightfully robust multiplayer mode which is where Phantom Dust really took off for me. Having the ability to face foes not only in the same room as you but also around the world really helped elevate my experience and went a long way in ensuring that this game would hold a place in memory.
Panzer Dragoon Orta
There is only one thing in this world that I desire….. Ok maybe two things and one of them is a fucking new Panzer Dragoon or at least a HD remake of this bad boy…. Panzer Dragoon Orta. Released for the original xbox in 2002, The classic series skipped a generation and surfaced 4 years after its predecessor for the Sega Saturn… What some like to call the never ending story simulator, Panzer Dragoon sees the player riding a Dragon all the while intercepting Ariel and ground threats that are set on stopping your progression through each stage. You possess the ability to transform your dragon into three different forms…. The base wing which acts as the games standard class with no clear weaknesses or strengths, The heavy wing which is best used for dealing higher amounts of damage but also come with the disadvantage of less mobility and finally the glide wing which acts as the games speed class and is perfect for tight situations when facing many enemies on screen. The game takes place across episodes each with a boss at the end as you unravel the games surprisingly intricate plot. Panzer Dragoon Orta seriously deserves your time, I had nothing but fun playing it so I recommend you try it out!
Here's the kink to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gRbH0hzMYQ&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
If you would prefer to just have a old fashioned read here is the script for the video. Let me know any exclusives or hidden gems you have enjoyed in the past!
Jet Set Radio Future
Now if you were to ask me, Jet Set Radio was one of the best things to come out of Sega’s last but immortal console the Dreamcast. I mean who the hell wouldn’t want to blast around on fucking Rocket skates whilst listening to music with enough energy to send you in to a fit. Developed by smile bit and released in 2002, the sequel to our first taste of the franchise blessed the Xbox, with all the originals quirks still in place the game did nothing but improve upon the staples that had made the first outing so memorable. You take control of many characters that make up a gang called the GG’s and are on a mission to gain control of a futuristic Tokyo as you skate, fight and spray for territory. It’s all very light hearted, it oozes confidence and style a bit like our pal Cliff who never seems to age and only gets better every time you see him. Jet Set Radio Future is one of those games you will find yourself coming back to so often… Maybe its the visuals, that pop in to life in one of the best cel shaded styles ever conceived or it could be the addictive gameplay that will see jumping around the world like your arse just got caught in trap. This is one hell of a game and you will have nothing but fun with it.
Ninja Gaiden Black
Ninja Gaiden Black is fucking hard, it will ruin you and probably your friendships as well but don’t let that deter you from one of the best original Xbox exclusives. Released in 2004 and brought to us by the same guys who like to perfectly sculpt animated tits. Ninja Gaiden Black is like a bitchy girlfriend… No matter how many times she treats you like shit… Your still going to go back for more of that loving and this is so true… No matter how many times I died within the game I refused to put the controller down and give up, its one of those titles that literally challenges you to get better almost taunting you at times. Taking control of Ryu its your job to slash through waves of enemies that come at you from all angles, your empowered with many abilities that even the odds such as running on walls and water that all help to keep the flow of the combat enjoyable and rewarding.
Amped
Many games had tried to capture the essence of Snowboarding but none of them really stood out to me, that is until Amped was released for the original Xbox in 2001. Developed by Indie built and published by Microsoft Game Studios, Amped would see you taking to the mountains as you pursue a career in snowboarding… By gaining sponsorship's, it is possible to advance through the game and unlock new areas as well as items that you can customise your character with. The gameplay as you would expect is tight, but where this game really excels is with its visuals. This was a launch title for the system and really showcased what the Original Xbox was capable of… Due to the consoles hard drive it was also possible for Indie Built to load entire mountains, instead of just the usual linear courses that we had been used to in previous games, of the same nature…. Unfortunately the sequel decided to go all tony hawk and act like every person who snowboards is a jackass reject but that doesn’t apply here in the first outing. If your looking for a realistic, down to earth snowboarding game… This is the one to get.
Blinx
Do you like cute cats? Do you like hoovering the house? How about bending time? What if I told you some nutter decided to combine all of these elements in to an action platforming game? Well your in luck the crazy fuckers over at Artoon introduced Blinx the time sweeper to us way back in 2002 and it quickly became on of my favourite games for the system. The premise is simple… Your a cat, with a hoover that posses time traveling abilities…. that really is the premise… You traverse each environment whilst taking out enemies that are hell bent on screwing up time and its your job to put it right. Blinx’s hoover allows you to control time with six different variations… Rewind, Fast Forward, Pause, Record, Slow and retry… that can all be used in order to manipulate enemies as well as the environment. In order to gain these controls you must collect time crystals that appear in the games world… These abilities can be triggered at anytime but are limited by how many Time holders you possess. The cute art style and intriguing gameplay always kept me coming back for more…. Blinx is simply a pure joy to play and I could not recommend it highly enough.
Blood Wake
Blood wake was released for the original Xbox upon launch and introduced us to a game that basically feels just like Twisted Metal but on water. Offering a pretty robust story mode with 28 missions that will get you accustomed to the games controls and mechanics, You play as Shao Kai who is on a mission seeking revenge against his brother who left him for dead… Ok the story is not the games strong point but where blood wake really shines is within the various multiplayer modes it offers. As well as being able to choose the vehicles and weapons presented in the single player campaign, the multiplayer modes introduce more customisation and gives you the ability to really play around with the different setups of each ship. In order to get the most out of the game it is crucial that you complete the campaign as all that good stuff is unlocked due to your progression…
Dead Or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball
Now before I go any further this is only on the list due to the amount of ass and tits this game offers… Why else would it be on here…. If you don’t agree with that, your either gay, a feminist or just a plain cunt. Theirs no beating around the bush with this game… Well there kind of is if you know what I mean but yeah its probably not best to mention that…. So, as the title implies Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball allows you to take that step into becoming a man and accepting that ass and tites of all sizes and shapes all need loving equally…. Also offering the chance to play a very well thought out volleyball mode, this game is great for those times when the Internet has decided to stop working in your home. Yes I enjoy watching digital ladies bounce around, do i have issues?… Quite possibly but that doesn’t change the fact that this game is actually really good and includes a generous amount of different modes that sees you participating in many activities… The only thing holding this game back from pure and utter perfection… Is the lack of a one handed control scheme…
Dino Crisis 3
When I heard the news that Dino Crisis 3 would be taking place in space, I wondered what the hell the developers had been sniffing and where it was possible to acquire this substance to try out for myself. Alas after many emails and phone calls to Capcoms customer support team…. I was no closer to acquiring this illusive drug. So instead I decided to wait for the game to come out before completely passing judgement on it. And I’m glad i waited, because Apart from its complete change of scenery Dino Crisis 3 is still the same old Dinosaur slaying game we all know and love from the Psone days. Originally planned for both the Xbox and Playstation 2 Dino Crisis 3 would set up camp on Microsoft's new power house and introduce us to the latest happenings within the universe. Set in the year 2548 it is your job to investigate a space ship that has been missing for 300 years. Unlike the earlier installments the enemies in the game are not real dinosaurs. They are mutations created from DNA extracted from various species…. But that does not mean that they are any nicer, they still want to rip your head off with any chance they get. Arguably not as good as the first two, but still worth a go.
Sega GT 2002
You’ve got to realise when the Xbox came out it managed to introduce many new features to gamers that had not been possible before. With the inclusion of a hard drive inside the console it was possible to slam in a music CD and rip it to the system. By doing this you now had access to your favourite music whilst playing games and Sega GT 2002 is the first title I tried this with and probably contributed to the many fond memories I have of playing it. Admittedly not the best racing game on the system but after having so much fun with the original on the Dreamcast I was looking forward to this one. With a healthy selection of cars and tracks there is plenty to keep you busy as you work your way through the vigorous career mode and begin to perfect your driving skills. Although lacking an online multiplayer mode which was saved for an updated release a year later… You can still enjoy the game with a friend and take advantage of the various modes available to you as well as the cars you earn throughout the games campaign.
Gunvalkyrie
I'm probably going to butcher the shit out of this name but here goes… Gunvalkyrie is a third person shooter developed by those lovable bastards that brought us Jet Set Radio, Smilebit… Published by Sega in 2002 the game possess a pretty unique control scheme that at first turned me off… Using two analogue sticks for its primary form of input wasn’t really a good idea, but after repeatedly throwing my controller at the screen, it all finally clicked and what was once a chore become nothing but a joy. The game has a flow to it, and almost rhythmic aspect that really contributes to the gameplay as you dart around the 10 levels that comprise the adventure. You take control of Kelly who works for an elite military force and are tasked with tracking down the whereabouts of a Dr Gate whos research and scientific breakthroughs threaten to change everything that is known about the world. Originally in development for the Sega Dreamcast and with the intention to use an even more bizarre control scheme that included a light gun as well as a controller, I'm glad the game made the jump to the Xbox. Make sure you give this one a go!
Xyanide
Released for the Xbox back in 2006, Xyanide is shoot em up that was developed by play logic entertainment… As with most shoot em ups, you are presented with a variety of different enemy types and must take them down whilst making your way through each stage. Many gaming critics did not receive the game well taking issues with the game controls and level design that apparently felt bland… Because of this Xyanide has gone by largely unnoticed by many, it was far ahead of it's time when originally released, and has held up extremely well with age. If you're looking for a more classical style of game where you can turn off your brain and annihilate wave after wave of enemies as you dodge obscene amounts of enemy fire, Xyanide is for you.
Otogi: Myth of Demons
A hack and slash game developed by FromSoftware, Otogi was unleashed upon the Xbox fanbase way back in 2002. You take control of Raikoh who was born in to a clan of executioners and is tasked with killing his own father… Instead of fulfilling his orders Raikoh decides to flee and takes with him the soul shrine… An ancient sword possessed by the clans leaders. Upon escaping the seal separating the demon and human worlds is broken… Raikoh is almost killed but ultimately saved by a princess who gives him a new body in exchange for his services and so you begin your quest to restore the seal and stop the ones responsible for its collapse. Possessing destructible environments and a huge 29 stages that comprise the campaign mode, your in for one hell of a ride… Taking cues from many of the genres contemporaries, the gameplay never fails to impress and kept me on the edge of my seat as I made it through the story. The Battle system is elegant, but quite simple...theirs not a lot of room for customisation, but it works. Difficulty sometimes can be a pain in the ass, but only a few stages cause trouble. If you can find this game lying about I recommend you pull the trigger and pick it up.
Phantom Dust
This was one of the last games to appear on the original Xbox right before the 360 was released and for this reason it largely went unnoticed by many gamers. I’ll be honest with you the thought of another run of the mill shooting based game never got me hard but the way in which Phantom Dust presents itself completely took me by surprise. Combining strategy and fast action the gameplay is incredibly deep and a lot of fun once you get the hang of things. It has some issues though, the targeting system can become a bit of a pain in the ass as well as the combat becoming repetitive but bored beneath the dusty clunk fuck of a single player campaign is a delightfully robust multiplayer mode which is where Phantom Dust really took off for me. Having the ability to face foes not only in the same room as you but also around the world really helped elevate my experience and went a long way in ensuring that this game would hold a place in memory.
Panzer Dragoon Orta
There is only one thing in this world that I desire….. Ok maybe two things and one of them is a fucking new Panzer Dragoon or at least a HD remake of this bad boy…. Panzer Dragoon Orta. Released for the original xbox in 2002, The classic series skipped a generation and surfaced 4 years after its predecessor for the Sega Saturn… What some like to call the never ending story simulator, Panzer Dragoon sees the player riding a Dragon all the while intercepting Ariel and ground threats that are set on stopping your progression through each stage. You possess the ability to transform your dragon into three different forms…. The base wing which acts as the games standard class with no clear weaknesses or strengths, The heavy wing which is best used for dealing higher amounts of damage but also come with the disadvantage of less mobility and finally the glide wing which acts as the games speed class and is perfect for tight situations when facing many enemies on screen. The game takes place across episodes each with a boss at the end as you unravel the games surprisingly intricate plot. Panzer Dragoon Orta seriously deserves your time, I had nothing but fun playing it so I recommend you try it out!
5
Video Showcase / Top ten must have 360 games! What are yours?
« on: November 07, 2016, 06:41:44 am »
Recently made a video discussing the various games I consider to be must haves for the 360. Let me know your favourites!
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZzPvmGhZx0&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
For those who would rather read:
Gears of war
Now every Gears of war game deserves a position on this list but for the purpose of this video I decided to choose the first game as this is the one I hold closely to my heart. Released in 2006, Epic games had created a rich enthralling universe that was guaranteed to draw you in and keep you invested in what has to be one of the best stories from the last generation. Set on a fictional earth like planet named Sera, the story depicts a war between two factions, the locust and humans as they fight for control of the planet. What makes Gears of war so special is its gameplay that sees you darting from cover to cover as you take down enemies with a chainsaw convitinently placed on your gun. I’m not going to lie as soon as I heard about that…. I was sold… I mean who doesn’t want a gun with a fucking chainsaw glued to the bottom of it. As well as popularising the now over crowded cover based shooter, Gears of war introduced a very cool mechanic that sees you trying to reload in a specific time to gain a damage boost. Known as Active reload, it really does lend a sense of urgency to the gameplay as you try to hit the perfect reload every time for a damage boost, the only downfall being, if you judge it wrong your gun will jam and you’ll be fucked. Gears of war 1,2,3 they all deserve a place here so go and check them out!
Lost Odyssey
Lost Odyssey is a Japanese role playing game developed by Mistwalker and Feelplus. Released early on in the consoles life cycle, Lost odyssey has come to be known as one of the best JRPG’s of last generation. Spanning Four dual layered dvd’s you know your in for one hell of a journey and with the game being written and supervised by renowned Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi it was in good hands. The story follows the escapades of Kaim, who is a part of a group known as immortals and has unfortunately lost his memory. Throughout the game he must confront his returning memories whilst trying to bring balance back to the various nations that make up the games world. Featuring many staples of the genre such as turned based battles, random encounters and navagation using a world map, all the ingredients are present for any long time JRPG fan to get the teeth into. This has to be one of the best role playing games I have played and if you haven’t had the opportunity to try out.. Now would be the perfect time!
Skyrim
Ok this is cheating I know Skyrim is a multiplatform title but if you are a console peasant like myself the only way to play Skyrim on a console was to choose the 360 version as the PS3 version was about as stable as a single mother on benefits. Developed by Bethesda and Released in 2011, Skyrim offers the player an immensely huge gaming world that is filled to the brim with exciting tales of magic and glee. The story revolves around the players character and their intention to defeat Alduin, the nordic god of destruction and the first dragon. Set 200 years after the events of Oblivion, Skyrim introduces a civil war between the stromcloaks and the imperial legion as you take on the role of a draginborn, a mere mortal with the soul and power of a dragon. Your tasked with taking down Alduin who is destined to destroy the world. Throughout the adventure you take on many types of different quests which all contribute to developing your character and improving your skills. Skyrim received unanimous acclaim and is considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time and with well over 20 million copies sold you can see why.
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Developed by Namco and released in 2007 exclusively for the Xbox 360, Ace Combat 6 sees a return of the classic arcade flight sim that sees you soaring through the skies and taking down enemies in style, basically the ridge racer of flight sims… Ace combat offers a unique take on the genre and is such a thrill to play. With a huge selection of planes and missions to take part in you’ll find it hard to become bored and run out of things to do. What made Ace Combat 6 so special was the inclusion of a multiplayer mode that pits you against up to sixteen players as you try to conquer the skies. The story sees two factions the republic of emeria and Estovakia pitted against each other in a chilling cold war. Through the campaign a tale of heroism, regret and finally hope takes place as you take on each mission to unravel the games plot. Upon release the game was received very well amongst the gaming media and proved that there was life left in the raging franchise… That is until they went all call of duty with assault horizon and the less said about that game the better!
Ridge Racer 6
If theres a Ridge Racer game released for a console which I do a video on… It is always going to have a place on the list. As many of you know ridge racer is one of my favourite franchises and number 6 is no exception. Released in 2005 Ridge Racer 6 is just like previous titles which have always focused on the twitchy arcady gameplay that has made the series so well known. What makes this version unique are the various game modes avaliable to the player, The career mode known as World Xplorer will see you racing adversaries on a variety of courses whilst having the option to choose from around 130 cars. Another feature and first for the series was finally being able to take the race online and compete with up to 14 players as you wiz around corners and belt down straights…. There really is nothing else like Ridge Racer…. Although not admittley not the best racer for the system, if your looking for a more realistic driving experience, forza and project gotham would win every time.
Shadow Complex
Shadow complex was originally released in 2009 and developed by chair entertainment. What makes this game so unique is the fact of it being one of the first profound games to appear on Microsofts Xbox live arcade service. You take control of Jason Flemming who stumbles across a cavern whilst exploring with his girlfriend. In typical fashion your girlfriend manages to loose her self and you are then tasked with rescuing her. As you explore the caverns you come across an underground complex occupied by soldiers who are all kitted out with high end technology you must unravel the mystery of the facility as you jump around and take out enemies in what ensetially feels like a love letter to Nintendos original metroid games.
As the adventure unfolds you will find various upgrades to your arsenal as you collect experience points that can be applied to your characters abilities, such as gunfire presicon and damage resistance. Like I mentioned if your a fan of the old metroid style games, hell even the early castlevania game, you’ll find yourself right at home. The game is now avaliable for the PS4 and xbox one so go grab a copy and check it out!
Fable 2
Fable 2 is an open world action role playing game that was released for the 360 in 2008. Brought to us by our favourite designer Peter Molyneux who seems to have a problem with telling the truth, Fable 2 takes place in the fictional region of Albion and is set 500 years after the events of the first game. This was the first time in the series that you were able to choose between playing as a male or a female and the feature was well recieved amongst fans as you can imagine. The world in Fable 2 is truly open with no set quest path to take, you will follow the life of your character… as they grow, many things will change around you as your actions impact the region. At the start of the game you will befriend a dog, who goes on to become your trusty companion who will alsways be by your side ad you explore the world and take on its many quests. You can teach it new tricks, to fight enemies, find treasure and lead the way to quest objectives. Unlike in the first game where you would recivev money for completing quests, the second outing sees you taking up various jobs in order to receive an income… You can become a blacksmith, a wood cutter, a bartender an assasin… Seriously there is quite a lot of choice which offers such great variety when playing the game. Received well amongst gaming critics of the time, Fable 2 is a great adventure that you should really check out.
Halo 3
Halo 2 ended with one hell of a cliffhanger and fans were eager to find out what would happen to our favourite cybernetic ally enhanced super soldier, Master chief…. Released in 2007 and developed by Bungie the 3rd release in the series set out to do just that. Featuring new weapons, vehicles and gameplay mechanics that were not present in the previous titles… Halo 3 felt fresh and returned to the tight first person action that had made the series so popular. The game is not with out its faults… Many were dissapointed with the games first next generation appearnce and took issue with the game graphics… Without natively rendering at a full HD resolution many felt that bungie had dropped the ball…. I for one do not subscribe to this notion as I believe there is always more to a game than just the way it looks and this is where Halo 3 excels… Its gameplay. You will encounter many different enemies and turns in the plot that will keep you guessing right until the ending credits.
Mass Effect
Originally a 360 exclusive Mass effect would eventually make the transition to the PS3 and PC, released in 2007 and developed by the gods themselves over at bioware, Mass effect is a third person role playing game, set in a galaxy under siege. You take control of commander shepherd as you step out into an adnevture that will see you exploring the corners of the galaxy trying to unravel the mystery of the reapers, a powerful race of mechanical beings who repeat the cycle of wiping out all advanced sentient life every 50,000 years. I know thats one hell of a premise and the game goes a long way in ensuring the player feels a part of the world and in true Bioware fashion you are presented with various options that will change the course of the story… resulting in a truly unique adventure for each player… That is until Mass Effect 3 where it all went to shit… But we won’t talk about that today. Combat in Mass effect is squad based, Each time you embark upon the battlefield you will be aided by two computer controlled characters who will help you as you take advantage of there specific abilities. A cover system is in place that will see stratigicly darting from cover to cover, as you take out the games various enemies. Mass effect is my favourite in the series and I would highly recommend playing it, if you have yet to check it out.
Alan Wake
Released in 2010 and developed by remedy entertainment, Alan Wake is one of those special games that only come around once a generation. The story follows a novelist who is well known for his take on the world of thrillers and is on a quest to understand the disseverance of his wife during a vacation they shared in the small town of Bright falls. The game is structured quite like a television series, it’s set out over 6 episodes each with there own degree of a plot twist and cliffhanger, you’ll find yourself relentlessly pushing on as the game twist and turns and reveals some of its darker themes. Alan Wake plays like a third person shooter as you explore each environment and try to overcome the darkness which is taking over humans, animals and various other objects. They are referred to as the Taken which are the main enemies you will find in the world, they are protected by a shield of darkness, which makes them impervious to attack… The only way to take them out is to shine your trusty flashlight which will burn the darkness away, opening them for attack. Alan Wake was received positively amongst reviewers and has gone on to garner a passionate fan base who are itching for a sequel. Make it happen Remedy!
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZzPvmGhZx0&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
For those who would rather read:
Gears of war
Now every Gears of war game deserves a position on this list but for the purpose of this video I decided to choose the first game as this is the one I hold closely to my heart. Released in 2006, Epic games had created a rich enthralling universe that was guaranteed to draw you in and keep you invested in what has to be one of the best stories from the last generation. Set on a fictional earth like planet named Sera, the story depicts a war between two factions, the locust and humans as they fight for control of the planet. What makes Gears of war so special is its gameplay that sees you darting from cover to cover as you take down enemies with a chainsaw convitinently placed on your gun. I’m not going to lie as soon as I heard about that…. I was sold… I mean who doesn’t want a gun with a fucking chainsaw glued to the bottom of it. As well as popularising the now over crowded cover based shooter, Gears of war introduced a very cool mechanic that sees you trying to reload in a specific time to gain a damage boost. Known as Active reload, it really does lend a sense of urgency to the gameplay as you try to hit the perfect reload every time for a damage boost, the only downfall being, if you judge it wrong your gun will jam and you’ll be fucked. Gears of war 1,2,3 they all deserve a place here so go and check them out!
Lost Odyssey
Lost Odyssey is a Japanese role playing game developed by Mistwalker and Feelplus. Released early on in the consoles life cycle, Lost odyssey has come to be known as one of the best JRPG’s of last generation. Spanning Four dual layered dvd’s you know your in for one hell of a journey and with the game being written and supervised by renowned Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi it was in good hands. The story follows the escapades of Kaim, who is a part of a group known as immortals and has unfortunately lost his memory. Throughout the game he must confront his returning memories whilst trying to bring balance back to the various nations that make up the games world. Featuring many staples of the genre such as turned based battles, random encounters and navagation using a world map, all the ingredients are present for any long time JRPG fan to get the teeth into. This has to be one of the best role playing games I have played and if you haven’t had the opportunity to try out.. Now would be the perfect time!
Skyrim
Ok this is cheating I know Skyrim is a multiplatform title but if you are a console peasant like myself the only way to play Skyrim on a console was to choose the 360 version as the PS3 version was about as stable as a single mother on benefits. Developed by Bethesda and Released in 2011, Skyrim offers the player an immensely huge gaming world that is filled to the brim with exciting tales of magic and glee. The story revolves around the players character and their intention to defeat Alduin, the nordic god of destruction and the first dragon. Set 200 years after the events of Oblivion, Skyrim introduces a civil war between the stromcloaks and the imperial legion as you take on the role of a draginborn, a mere mortal with the soul and power of a dragon. Your tasked with taking down Alduin who is destined to destroy the world. Throughout the adventure you take on many types of different quests which all contribute to developing your character and improving your skills. Skyrim received unanimous acclaim and is considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time and with well over 20 million copies sold you can see why.
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Developed by Namco and released in 2007 exclusively for the Xbox 360, Ace Combat 6 sees a return of the classic arcade flight sim that sees you soaring through the skies and taking down enemies in style, basically the ridge racer of flight sims… Ace combat offers a unique take on the genre and is such a thrill to play. With a huge selection of planes and missions to take part in you’ll find it hard to become bored and run out of things to do. What made Ace Combat 6 so special was the inclusion of a multiplayer mode that pits you against up to sixteen players as you try to conquer the skies. The story sees two factions the republic of emeria and Estovakia pitted against each other in a chilling cold war. Through the campaign a tale of heroism, regret and finally hope takes place as you take on each mission to unravel the games plot. Upon release the game was received very well amongst the gaming media and proved that there was life left in the raging franchise… That is until they went all call of duty with assault horizon and the less said about that game the better!
Ridge Racer 6
If theres a Ridge Racer game released for a console which I do a video on… It is always going to have a place on the list. As many of you know ridge racer is one of my favourite franchises and number 6 is no exception. Released in 2005 Ridge Racer 6 is just like previous titles which have always focused on the twitchy arcady gameplay that has made the series so well known. What makes this version unique are the various game modes avaliable to the player, The career mode known as World Xplorer will see you racing adversaries on a variety of courses whilst having the option to choose from around 130 cars. Another feature and first for the series was finally being able to take the race online and compete with up to 14 players as you wiz around corners and belt down straights…. There really is nothing else like Ridge Racer…. Although not admittley not the best racer for the system, if your looking for a more realistic driving experience, forza and project gotham would win every time.
Shadow Complex
Shadow complex was originally released in 2009 and developed by chair entertainment. What makes this game so unique is the fact of it being one of the first profound games to appear on Microsofts Xbox live arcade service. You take control of Jason Flemming who stumbles across a cavern whilst exploring with his girlfriend. In typical fashion your girlfriend manages to loose her self and you are then tasked with rescuing her. As you explore the caverns you come across an underground complex occupied by soldiers who are all kitted out with high end technology you must unravel the mystery of the facility as you jump around and take out enemies in what ensetially feels like a love letter to Nintendos original metroid games.
As the adventure unfolds you will find various upgrades to your arsenal as you collect experience points that can be applied to your characters abilities, such as gunfire presicon and damage resistance. Like I mentioned if your a fan of the old metroid style games, hell even the early castlevania game, you’ll find yourself right at home. The game is now avaliable for the PS4 and xbox one so go grab a copy and check it out!
Fable 2
Fable 2 is an open world action role playing game that was released for the 360 in 2008. Brought to us by our favourite designer Peter Molyneux who seems to have a problem with telling the truth, Fable 2 takes place in the fictional region of Albion and is set 500 years after the events of the first game. This was the first time in the series that you were able to choose between playing as a male or a female and the feature was well recieved amongst fans as you can imagine. The world in Fable 2 is truly open with no set quest path to take, you will follow the life of your character… as they grow, many things will change around you as your actions impact the region. At the start of the game you will befriend a dog, who goes on to become your trusty companion who will alsways be by your side ad you explore the world and take on its many quests. You can teach it new tricks, to fight enemies, find treasure and lead the way to quest objectives. Unlike in the first game where you would recivev money for completing quests, the second outing sees you taking up various jobs in order to receive an income… You can become a blacksmith, a wood cutter, a bartender an assasin… Seriously there is quite a lot of choice which offers such great variety when playing the game. Received well amongst gaming critics of the time, Fable 2 is a great adventure that you should really check out.
Halo 3
Halo 2 ended with one hell of a cliffhanger and fans were eager to find out what would happen to our favourite cybernetic ally enhanced super soldier, Master chief…. Released in 2007 and developed by Bungie the 3rd release in the series set out to do just that. Featuring new weapons, vehicles and gameplay mechanics that were not present in the previous titles… Halo 3 felt fresh and returned to the tight first person action that had made the series so popular. The game is not with out its faults… Many were dissapointed with the games first next generation appearnce and took issue with the game graphics… Without natively rendering at a full HD resolution many felt that bungie had dropped the ball…. I for one do not subscribe to this notion as I believe there is always more to a game than just the way it looks and this is where Halo 3 excels… Its gameplay. You will encounter many different enemies and turns in the plot that will keep you guessing right until the ending credits.
Mass Effect
Originally a 360 exclusive Mass effect would eventually make the transition to the PS3 and PC, released in 2007 and developed by the gods themselves over at bioware, Mass effect is a third person role playing game, set in a galaxy under siege. You take control of commander shepherd as you step out into an adnevture that will see you exploring the corners of the galaxy trying to unravel the mystery of the reapers, a powerful race of mechanical beings who repeat the cycle of wiping out all advanced sentient life every 50,000 years. I know thats one hell of a premise and the game goes a long way in ensuring the player feels a part of the world and in true Bioware fashion you are presented with various options that will change the course of the story… resulting in a truly unique adventure for each player… That is until Mass Effect 3 where it all went to shit… But we won’t talk about that today. Combat in Mass effect is squad based, Each time you embark upon the battlefield you will be aided by two computer controlled characters who will help you as you take advantage of there specific abilities. A cover system is in place that will see stratigicly darting from cover to cover, as you take out the games various enemies. Mass effect is my favourite in the series and I would highly recommend playing it, if you have yet to check it out.
Alan Wake
Released in 2010 and developed by remedy entertainment, Alan Wake is one of those special games that only come around once a generation. The story follows a novelist who is well known for his take on the world of thrillers and is on a quest to understand the disseverance of his wife during a vacation they shared in the small town of Bright falls. The game is structured quite like a television series, it’s set out over 6 episodes each with there own degree of a plot twist and cliffhanger, you’ll find yourself relentlessly pushing on as the game twist and turns and reveals some of its darker themes. Alan Wake plays like a third person shooter as you explore each environment and try to overcome the darkness which is taking over humans, animals and various other objects. They are referred to as the Taken which are the main enemies you will find in the world, they are protected by a shield of darkness, which makes them impervious to attack… The only way to take them out is to shine your trusty flashlight which will burn the darkness away, opening them for attack. Alan Wake was received positively amongst reviewers and has gone on to garner a passionate fan base who are itching for a sequel. Make it happen Remedy!
6
Video Showcase / Top Ten Must Have GBA Games! What Are Yours?
« on: October 11, 2016, 06:26:21 am »
I recently made a video about some of the best games for the GBA! This is just my opinion so please let me know your favourites!
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5nQ2wG7lS8&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
If you don't fancy watching you can read it here instead =)
Advance Wars
Advance wars is a turn based strategy game that sees you taking up the role of an army CO to counteract various forces set on taking over the land. The game was originally intended to stay exclusive to the Japanese audience due to Nintendo feeling that the other territories would not be interested in turn based games…. Well I’m glad they chose to release it as advance wars has to be the best strategy game I have ever played. Offering various modes that range from map creation to a fully fledged campaign, you’ll find it hard to run out of things to do. As mentioned the battles within the game are turn based… Two to four armies, each headed by a commanding officer, take turns building and commanding units on grid-based maps, while attacking enemy units, moving positions, holding ground, or capturing various strongholds such as factories and airports in which you can then create more units for battle. This game really shines when it comes to multiplayer… And has been know to force people to leave and not speak to each other for days… so you know its good.
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Now the fact that Crawfish interactive actually managed to get Street Fighter Alpha 3 running on the GBA is nothing short of a miracle it was an absolute technical marvel at the time of its release…. I mean here we had a game that consisted of over 30 characters and stages all fully voiced and running as smooth as a fighter should. Obviously there were some compromises that had to be made such as using the same voice for most characters with just different pitches to distinguish them from each other. Various stages were also missing from the other versions that had been released, but all of this still cannot bring down the fact that here we had one hell of a good fighter running on Nintendos handheld hardware. If you love your fighters and are looking for something to get your teeth in to on the GBA… Look no further…. Street Fighter Alpha 3 will scratch that itch!
International Super Star Soccer
Now I’m not a huge fan of sports games but for some reason I’ve always had a soft spot for International Superstar Soccer…. Maybe its just the nostalgia but every time I pick this up, Im reminded of how good games can be when they are stripped down to the basics… And thats what it is… A basic football game. Offering various modes including championship, friendly matches and multiplayer there is always something to do. This is essentially the same game that released for the Super Nintendo which is probably why I enjoy it so much. If your looking for a great pick up and play football game for the system… This is the one to get!
F-Zero
As fans of the show will know I absolutely love the F - Zero games, there truly is nothing like blasting around tracks at break neck speeds all the while avoiding other racers who all seem to want to kill you. As with most games for the GBA this again is essentially the Super Nintendo game shrunk down for the handheld system, it manages to capture all of the magic that made the original such a blast and adds more features and racers into the mix. Released in 2004, packing 30 playable characters, various tracks and a fully fleshed out story mode, the game was well received amongst critics and proved there is still life in the F-zero serious that so desperately needs a new release. The Japanese version of this game included support for the E reader that added the ability to purchase cards at a store that would add extra vehicles and tracks to the game, this feature was sadly missing upon its American and european releases.
Nintendo have ignored there spoofy sci/fi racer for far to long, heres hoping we might get a new game in the series for the NX.
Super Mario Advance 2
The main reason this Mario game is on the list is the fact that it is basically Super Mario World… You know that little game that made growing up in the 90’s so fucking cool! Released in 2002 the game brought with it all the levels and features that made the original SNES release so god damn fun. Various changes were made to the game in order for it to run on the hardware efficiently, including the games resolution being scaled down as well as its soundtrack being significantly compressed. But all of these changes do not deter from what is one of the best mario games ever made… I mean who could turn down Super Mario World on the go in 2002, having the ability to play the shit out of it on the bus on the way to school or on the way home after a hards day work was a proposition that was hard to turn down… So many great memories with this one…. If you want a mario title for the system make sure you pick this up as you will not be disappointed!
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire
Im going to let you in on a little secret when I was 10 I won the Burger King Pokemon Championships and as you can imagine being a little fat kid growing up with a passion for catching pikachus and burgers… I was over the fucking moon. After receiving my prizes, I then heard the news of the Pokemon games that we’re coming to the GBA… I remember that day so vividly as At this point I had invested stupid amounts of time into Gold and silver and began to think to myself of all the possibilities that Ruby would bring. It didn’t disappoint… With a ton of fresh Pokemon as well as an impressive graphical overall… The game fulfilled my lofty expectations, so much so that this is the first Pokemon game I decided to introduce to my son who has now taken on the mantle of the families Pokemon master! This game holds a special place in my heart and it one of the main reasons to own a GBA.
Metroid Fusion
Released in 2002 Metroid Fusion saw all of the elements that made up Super Metroid successfully migrate to the handheld system… But this wasn’t just some remake it was a compltley new game that thankfully was developed by the same team that crafted the original SNES adventure. It was the first game in the series to utilise the use of animated cutscenes that would depict the games story elements to the player, the game follows Samus Arans journey to a biological space station that has been overrun with organisms carrying a virus known as X parasites. Its her job to kick ass and clean up over a campaign that takes about 10-12 hours to complete, all the original metroid goodness is present, with many interesting locations and bosses to overcome. If you also own Metroid Prime for the Gamecube you can take advantage of exclusive features when linking your game to the home console that I will let you discover yourself!
Golden Sun
Developed by Camelot software, Golden Sun was one of the first games for the gameboy advance that proved it could be a serious player within the RPG genre. Released in 2001 the game depicts the escapades of a band of magic-attuned "Adepts" whose purpose, as it is revealed early on, is to protect the world of Weyard from alchemy, a potentially destructive power that was sealed away long ago. As you can imagine the game includes all of the features any RPG fan has come to expect… A fantastic battle system as well a plot that will keep you guessing at every turn. The game was praised for its visuals and sound that are a testament to the GBA’s hardware and to Camelot software who intentionally spent as long as they could nurturing and crafting what has to be the GBA’s premier RPG title.
Final Fantasy Tatcis Advnace
Developed and published by Square, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is a spin off to the popular Final Fantasy franchise and shares several aspects with the 1997 release of Final Fantasy Tactics for the Playstation, Although not being a direct sequel, The player assumes the role of various characters as they battle it out over a grid based arena. Released in 2003 the game centres around four children who are tasked with getting back to there world after being transported to a different realm… Offering four main mission types and over 30 different jobs that govern a characters stats, equipments and abilities, you will find plenty to keep you busy as well as giving the multiplaye a go which is nothing short of greatness. It took me a while to get into the series but seriously if your a fan of the series I highly recommend giving this one a go!
Fire Emblem
Released in 2003 and developed by Intelligent Systems, Fire emblem is a tactical role playing game that takes place 20 years before the events in the previous game, You take the role of Lyn, Eliwood and Hector who set off on a journey in search Eliwoods father who disappeerd under mysterious circumstances. sharing elements of the Advance wars series, the game was well received and praised for its deep story and characters that complimented the the tactical gameplay. You are tasked with moving a small group of units around the grid based areans and defeating enemy units that occupy the space. It was the first game in the series to be released outside of Japan mainly due to the series characters that had been included in super smash bros melee on the Gamecube. This game is seriously addictive shit… You will not be disappointed!
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5nQ2wG7lS8&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
If you don't fancy watching you can read it here instead =)
Advance Wars
Advance wars is a turn based strategy game that sees you taking up the role of an army CO to counteract various forces set on taking over the land. The game was originally intended to stay exclusive to the Japanese audience due to Nintendo feeling that the other territories would not be interested in turn based games…. Well I’m glad they chose to release it as advance wars has to be the best strategy game I have ever played. Offering various modes that range from map creation to a fully fledged campaign, you’ll find it hard to run out of things to do. As mentioned the battles within the game are turn based… Two to four armies, each headed by a commanding officer, take turns building and commanding units on grid-based maps, while attacking enemy units, moving positions, holding ground, or capturing various strongholds such as factories and airports in which you can then create more units for battle. This game really shines when it comes to multiplayer… And has been know to force people to leave and not speak to each other for days… so you know its good.
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Now the fact that Crawfish interactive actually managed to get Street Fighter Alpha 3 running on the GBA is nothing short of a miracle it was an absolute technical marvel at the time of its release…. I mean here we had a game that consisted of over 30 characters and stages all fully voiced and running as smooth as a fighter should. Obviously there were some compromises that had to be made such as using the same voice for most characters with just different pitches to distinguish them from each other. Various stages were also missing from the other versions that had been released, but all of this still cannot bring down the fact that here we had one hell of a good fighter running on Nintendos handheld hardware. If you love your fighters and are looking for something to get your teeth in to on the GBA… Look no further…. Street Fighter Alpha 3 will scratch that itch!
International Super Star Soccer
Now I’m not a huge fan of sports games but for some reason I’ve always had a soft spot for International Superstar Soccer…. Maybe its just the nostalgia but every time I pick this up, Im reminded of how good games can be when they are stripped down to the basics… And thats what it is… A basic football game. Offering various modes including championship, friendly matches and multiplayer there is always something to do. This is essentially the same game that released for the Super Nintendo which is probably why I enjoy it so much. If your looking for a great pick up and play football game for the system… This is the one to get!
F-Zero
As fans of the show will know I absolutely love the F - Zero games, there truly is nothing like blasting around tracks at break neck speeds all the while avoiding other racers who all seem to want to kill you. As with most games for the GBA this again is essentially the Super Nintendo game shrunk down for the handheld system, it manages to capture all of the magic that made the original such a blast and adds more features and racers into the mix. Released in 2004, packing 30 playable characters, various tracks and a fully fleshed out story mode, the game was well received amongst critics and proved there is still life in the F-zero serious that so desperately needs a new release. The Japanese version of this game included support for the E reader that added the ability to purchase cards at a store that would add extra vehicles and tracks to the game, this feature was sadly missing upon its American and european releases.
Nintendo have ignored there spoofy sci/fi racer for far to long, heres hoping we might get a new game in the series for the NX.
Super Mario Advance 2
The main reason this Mario game is on the list is the fact that it is basically Super Mario World… You know that little game that made growing up in the 90’s so fucking cool! Released in 2002 the game brought with it all the levels and features that made the original SNES release so god damn fun. Various changes were made to the game in order for it to run on the hardware efficiently, including the games resolution being scaled down as well as its soundtrack being significantly compressed. But all of these changes do not deter from what is one of the best mario games ever made… I mean who could turn down Super Mario World on the go in 2002, having the ability to play the shit out of it on the bus on the way to school or on the way home after a hards day work was a proposition that was hard to turn down… So many great memories with this one…. If you want a mario title for the system make sure you pick this up as you will not be disappointed!
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire
Im going to let you in on a little secret when I was 10 I won the Burger King Pokemon Championships and as you can imagine being a little fat kid growing up with a passion for catching pikachus and burgers… I was over the fucking moon. After receiving my prizes, I then heard the news of the Pokemon games that we’re coming to the GBA… I remember that day so vividly as At this point I had invested stupid amounts of time into Gold and silver and began to think to myself of all the possibilities that Ruby would bring. It didn’t disappoint… With a ton of fresh Pokemon as well as an impressive graphical overall… The game fulfilled my lofty expectations, so much so that this is the first Pokemon game I decided to introduce to my son who has now taken on the mantle of the families Pokemon master! This game holds a special place in my heart and it one of the main reasons to own a GBA.
Metroid Fusion
Released in 2002 Metroid Fusion saw all of the elements that made up Super Metroid successfully migrate to the handheld system… But this wasn’t just some remake it was a compltley new game that thankfully was developed by the same team that crafted the original SNES adventure. It was the first game in the series to utilise the use of animated cutscenes that would depict the games story elements to the player, the game follows Samus Arans journey to a biological space station that has been overrun with organisms carrying a virus known as X parasites. Its her job to kick ass and clean up over a campaign that takes about 10-12 hours to complete, all the original metroid goodness is present, with many interesting locations and bosses to overcome. If you also own Metroid Prime for the Gamecube you can take advantage of exclusive features when linking your game to the home console that I will let you discover yourself!
Golden Sun
Developed by Camelot software, Golden Sun was one of the first games for the gameboy advance that proved it could be a serious player within the RPG genre. Released in 2001 the game depicts the escapades of a band of magic-attuned "Adepts" whose purpose, as it is revealed early on, is to protect the world of Weyard from alchemy, a potentially destructive power that was sealed away long ago. As you can imagine the game includes all of the features any RPG fan has come to expect… A fantastic battle system as well a plot that will keep you guessing at every turn. The game was praised for its visuals and sound that are a testament to the GBA’s hardware and to Camelot software who intentionally spent as long as they could nurturing and crafting what has to be the GBA’s premier RPG title.
Final Fantasy Tatcis Advnace
Developed and published by Square, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is a spin off to the popular Final Fantasy franchise and shares several aspects with the 1997 release of Final Fantasy Tactics for the Playstation, Although not being a direct sequel, The player assumes the role of various characters as they battle it out over a grid based arena. Released in 2003 the game centres around four children who are tasked with getting back to there world after being transported to a different realm… Offering four main mission types and over 30 different jobs that govern a characters stats, equipments and abilities, you will find plenty to keep you busy as well as giving the multiplaye a go which is nothing short of greatness. It took me a while to get into the series but seriously if your a fan of the series I highly recommend giving this one a go!
Fire Emblem
Released in 2003 and developed by Intelligent Systems, Fire emblem is a tactical role playing game that takes place 20 years before the events in the previous game, You take the role of Lyn, Eliwood and Hector who set off on a journey in search Eliwoods father who disappeerd under mysterious circumstances. sharing elements of the Advance wars series, the game was well received and praised for its deep story and characters that complimented the the tactical gameplay. You are tasked with moving a small group of units around the grid based areans and defeating enemy units that occupy the space. It was the first game in the series to be released outside of Japan mainly due to the series characters that had been included in super smash bros melee on the Gamecube. This game is seriously addictive shit… You will not be disappointed!
7
General / Re: Is there a game or console that most people have but you don't?
« on: October 03, 2016, 07:43:08 am »
That would be the Neo Geo Pocket Colour... Most of my friends have picked one up but I have yet to pull the trigger and aquire one myself!
8
Video Showcase / These Cancelled Playstation Games Looked Awesome!
« on: October 03, 2016, 07:41:37 am »
Recently did a video about several cancelled games for the Playstation! Let me know what you think!
Heres the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1WR-NLgxCY&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
Ico (PSX)
Not many people know that before team icos masterpiece hit the playstation 2… It was originally planned for its preddesssor. Fumito usda came up with the concept of ico way back in 1997 and envisioned what he called a boy meets girl story, which would see the two main characters holding hands and forming a bond throughout the duration of the adventure. Work began on the game in 1998 driven by three ideas, to make a game that would be indistinguishable from its competitors in its genre… Feature a style that would be consistently artistic and for it play out in an imaginary yet realistic setting. The game steadily made progress in development for two years and then the team started to run in to problems mainly due to the limitations of the playstation hardware. They faced a daunting question… Should we cancel the game, alter the vision so it was able to run or continue to explore more options…. and one of those options was the playstation 2. The project was thankfully moved to the ps2 and the rest is history… If you haven’t played Ico I highly suggest you go and do that right now!
Thrill Kill
Originally penned for a 1998 release, Thrill Kill was set to take the gaming world by storm by allowing up to four players to battle it out at the same time! So what made Thrill Kill so different to the countless other 3D Fighters avaliable to the system? If I could some it up in one word… That word would be pervy. Developed by Paradox development the amount of hype surrounding the game had everyone calling it the new mortal Kombat… The game was ready to go and with only a few weeks left until its planned release… Are good friends EA decided to pull the plug and shelve the game, mainly due to its violent and sexual content citing that the title would harm there image. Now I’m not going to sit her and debate what is to violent or sexual for a video game but when games are depicting blatant bdsm and fetish acts I can see why a company like EA would make the decision they did… Are they still cunts?? Of course they are… Ok not as bad as konami but there still cunts and Due to that game being all but finished before getting cancelled… Bootleg copies started to surface and now the game is widely available for anyone to try out! So if your feeling a bit pervy… Why not crack on a bit of Thrill Kill.
Baulders Gate
The classic PC title was initially planned to also release for the playstation. Set in a dungeons and dragons inspired medieval fantasy world, the game would take place over 3CDs packed to the brim with 10,000 game screens. The reason for its cancellation lies with its developers Runecraft and interplay who were having issues with the games loading times and optimisation… The decision was made to pull the plug.
Over the years Boulders gate has garnered a very active and passionate fan base who have been working hard to bring the unreleased playstation version to fruition… and they succeeded although the game is not 100% complete it is possible to play through from start to end and is one hell of a journey. If you enjoy the classic dungeons and dragons game you will feel right at home as soon as you press start!
Onimusha Warlords (PSX)
Onimusha is a game with a long history… Originally penned as sengoku biohazard, the game was meant to be an ancient spin on the resident evil franchise set in feudal japan. The player was to traverse a ninja house filled with traps similar to the one found in the first resident evil game and was originally being developed for the Nintendo 64DD. The ideas behind Sengoku biohazard slowly changed in to something tangible and was renamed Onimusha. Capcom saw the game being part of a trilogy and began work on the first entry for the original playstation. Unfortunately the playstation version was scrapped even with it being about 50% complete… The teams excitement about the new flashy playstation 2 resulted in the game being switched over to the new hardware in order to take advantage of the extra power the system offered. Luckily Onimusha is one of those games that we got to see and I’m thankful as the series went on to become one of my favourite franchises… All we need now is a sequel or at least a HD remake…. Make it happen Capcom!
Eternal Chain
Eternal Chain was an RPG being developed by Victor Interactive Software and started development in 1998. Not much is really known about this game except it s plot summary that was published by RPG gamer way back in the day! heres the summary:
“16,000 years ago humans lived on Mars. After using up the resources of Mars, the humans started moving to Earth. At that time another lifeform, Gods, inhabited the Earth. After the humans settled on Earth, they eventually split into 2 groups, those who liked the Gods, and those who disliked Gods. It was only a matter of time before battles betweenGods and the two groups of humans began.”
Now that sounds like one hell of a story to me and something I probably would have enjoyed but unfortunately for reasons still unknown the game was cancelled. Although the title was seen in playable form during the tokyo game show of 1999, the footage and game build are no where to be found…. If anyone has any details about this game let me know in the comments!
Enemy Zero
Enemy Zero is a survival horror which was released for the Sega Sautrn in 1996, directed by Kenji Eno, the game was initially being developed for the playstation but Kenji was not happy with how his previous game ‘D’ had been handled by sony and became irritated with there failure to meet the preorders for the title resulting in low sales. In a classic move and what could be considered as a giant fuck you… Kenji took the stage at a son press conference and presented enemy Zero to the public… With the playstation logo appearing at the end of the demonstration many assumed the game would release for the console…. The image slowly transitioned in to the sage saturn logo and all but confirmed that development was now taking place on that system instead. Despite the popular opinion at the time that the Sega Saturn was not capable of handling 3D games as well as the playstation, Kenji noted that the playstation and saturn are not so different, so moving it the to saturn wasn’t too difficult. Personally I think the game might have done better if it got a release for the playstation due to its larger popularity at the time. But at least we got the game and it can be enjoyed even to this day….Moral of the story don’t piss off Kenji Eno!
Konami Rally
Now I’m a huge rally fan and upon hearing about Konagi Rally way back in 1999 I was excited to see how the game would turn out! First shown to the public during E3 99 the game was a spiritual successor the MSX rally title Konagi Hyper Rally… originally planned to release for the playstation and gameboy colour the game was set to follow in the footsteps of it predesscor and provide a great rally experience… Unfortunately in true Konagi fashion the game was cancelled and vanished from existence… All that remains from the game are a few screenshots and the footage that was showcased during the event. So yeah Fuck Konagi.
Popcorn
Developed by eight wonder in 1997, popcorn was going to be the first title to come from several Rare employees that decided to leave the company and setup the eighth wonder studio with funding being provided by none other than sony themselves. The deal saw sony committing to publish the studios first three titles with the option to pick up another three should they be successful. The first title was Popcorn an action adventure game that featured six distinct worlds which each had three levels… at the end of each world you would encounter a boss and were tasked with defeating them in order to progress… By E3 1998 the game was being displayed by Sunsoft and would have been published by them in the west… However by this time cracks were starting to form within the eight wonder studio and due to a number of internal issues, by 1999 the game was cast to the dustbins of obscurity.
Monstrous City
Now this game sounded like a whole lot of fun… developed by Northstar studios for the original playstation. The player would assume the role of various monsters and would be tasked with reaching havoc upon the citizens of various cities, it was all very Godzilla like. A lot of work went in to the project with a load of monsters being designed for the game including a dracula style monster, a giant robot with powerful energy beams, bizzare mutants and a godzilla inspired dinosaur. Sadly the game never had the chance to be finished, due to Northstar Studios being unable to find a publisher willing to publish the game… All that remains of the game are a few screenshots from magazines that were issued during its development.
Lufia 3: Ruins Chaser
During 1998 a Japanese publisher by the name of Nihon Flex announced that it would be funding the development of the third game in the Lufia series. This title was to take place 300 years after the events of the original game and set to tie up all of the story threads from the past titles whilst simutanesolsy introducing a new one for further games in the series. The game was introduced to the public during the tokyo games show of 1998, a 12 page booklet was handed to attendees including artwork and details about the title… At this time it was stated that the game was 20% complete and development was moving along nicely… However shortly after the announcement the company financing the project Nihon Flex filed for bankruptcy which forced the project to be put on hold. A year later the game resurfaced under a different title of The legend returns and was no being developed for the Gameboy Colour…. At least the game did see some sort of a release it is just iunfortuante that the original vision was comprimised in order tocater for the Game boy colours hardware.
Heres the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1WR-NLgxCY&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
Ico (PSX)
Not many people know that before team icos masterpiece hit the playstation 2… It was originally planned for its preddesssor. Fumito usda came up with the concept of ico way back in 1997 and envisioned what he called a boy meets girl story, which would see the two main characters holding hands and forming a bond throughout the duration of the adventure. Work began on the game in 1998 driven by three ideas, to make a game that would be indistinguishable from its competitors in its genre… Feature a style that would be consistently artistic and for it play out in an imaginary yet realistic setting. The game steadily made progress in development for two years and then the team started to run in to problems mainly due to the limitations of the playstation hardware. They faced a daunting question… Should we cancel the game, alter the vision so it was able to run or continue to explore more options…. and one of those options was the playstation 2. The project was thankfully moved to the ps2 and the rest is history… If you haven’t played Ico I highly suggest you go and do that right now!
Thrill Kill
Originally penned for a 1998 release, Thrill Kill was set to take the gaming world by storm by allowing up to four players to battle it out at the same time! So what made Thrill Kill so different to the countless other 3D Fighters avaliable to the system? If I could some it up in one word… That word would be pervy. Developed by Paradox development the amount of hype surrounding the game had everyone calling it the new mortal Kombat… The game was ready to go and with only a few weeks left until its planned release… Are good friends EA decided to pull the plug and shelve the game, mainly due to its violent and sexual content citing that the title would harm there image. Now I’m not going to sit her and debate what is to violent or sexual for a video game but when games are depicting blatant bdsm and fetish acts I can see why a company like EA would make the decision they did… Are they still cunts?? Of course they are… Ok not as bad as konami but there still cunts and Due to that game being all but finished before getting cancelled… Bootleg copies started to surface and now the game is widely available for anyone to try out! So if your feeling a bit pervy… Why not crack on a bit of Thrill Kill.
Baulders Gate
The classic PC title was initially planned to also release for the playstation. Set in a dungeons and dragons inspired medieval fantasy world, the game would take place over 3CDs packed to the brim with 10,000 game screens. The reason for its cancellation lies with its developers Runecraft and interplay who were having issues with the games loading times and optimisation… The decision was made to pull the plug.
Over the years Boulders gate has garnered a very active and passionate fan base who have been working hard to bring the unreleased playstation version to fruition… and they succeeded although the game is not 100% complete it is possible to play through from start to end and is one hell of a journey. If you enjoy the classic dungeons and dragons game you will feel right at home as soon as you press start!
Onimusha Warlords (PSX)
Onimusha is a game with a long history… Originally penned as sengoku biohazard, the game was meant to be an ancient spin on the resident evil franchise set in feudal japan. The player was to traverse a ninja house filled with traps similar to the one found in the first resident evil game and was originally being developed for the Nintendo 64DD. The ideas behind Sengoku biohazard slowly changed in to something tangible and was renamed Onimusha. Capcom saw the game being part of a trilogy and began work on the first entry for the original playstation. Unfortunately the playstation version was scrapped even with it being about 50% complete… The teams excitement about the new flashy playstation 2 resulted in the game being switched over to the new hardware in order to take advantage of the extra power the system offered. Luckily Onimusha is one of those games that we got to see and I’m thankful as the series went on to become one of my favourite franchises… All we need now is a sequel or at least a HD remake…. Make it happen Capcom!
Eternal Chain
Eternal Chain was an RPG being developed by Victor Interactive Software and started development in 1998. Not much is really known about this game except it s plot summary that was published by RPG gamer way back in the day! heres the summary:
“16,000 years ago humans lived on Mars. After using up the resources of Mars, the humans started moving to Earth. At that time another lifeform, Gods, inhabited the Earth. After the humans settled on Earth, they eventually split into 2 groups, those who liked the Gods, and those who disliked Gods. It was only a matter of time before battles betweenGods and the two groups of humans began.”
Now that sounds like one hell of a story to me and something I probably would have enjoyed but unfortunately for reasons still unknown the game was cancelled. Although the title was seen in playable form during the tokyo game show of 1999, the footage and game build are no where to be found…. If anyone has any details about this game let me know in the comments!
Enemy Zero
Enemy Zero is a survival horror which was released for the Sega Sautrn in 1996, directed by Kenji Eno, the game was initially being developed for the playstation but Kenji was not happy with how his previous game ‘D’ had been handled by sony and became irritated with there failure to meet the preorders for the title resulting in low sales. In a classic move and what could be considered as a giant fuck you… Kenji took the stage at a son press conference and presented enemy Zero to the public… With the playstation logo appearing at the end of the demonstration many assumed the game would release for the console…. The image slowly transitioned in to the sage saturn logo and all but confirmed that development was now taking place on that system instead. Despite the popular opinion at the time that the Sega Saturn was not capable of handling 3D games as well as the playstation, Kenji noted that the playstation and saturn are not so different, so moving it the to saturn wasn’t too difficult. Personally I think the game might have done better if it got a release for the playstation due to its larger popularity at the time. But at least we got the game and it can be enjoyed even to this day….Moral of the story don’t piss off Kenji Eno!
Konami Rally
Now I’m a huge rally fan and upon hearing about Konagi Rally way back in 1999 I was excited to see how the game would turn out! First shown to the public during E3 99 the game was a spiritual successor the MSX rally title Konagi Hyper Rally… originally planned to release for the playstation and gameboy colour the game was set to follow in the footsteps of it predesscor and provide a great rally experience… Unfortunately in true Konagi fashion the game was cancelled and vanished from existence… All that remains from the game are a few screenshots and the footage that was showcased during the event. So yeah Fuck Konagi.
Popcorn
Developed by eight wonder in 1997, popcorn was going to be the first title to come from several Rare employees that decided to leave the company and setup the eighth wonder studio with funding being provided by none other than sony themselves. The deal saw sony committing to publish the studios first three titles with the option to pick up another three should they be successful. The first title was Popcorn an action adventure game that featured six distinct worlds which each had three levels… at the end of each world you would encounter a boss and were tasked with defeating them in order to progress… By E3 1998 the game was being displayed by Sunsoft and would have been published by them in the west… However by this time cracks were starting to form within the eight wonder studio and due to a number of internal issues, by 1999 the game was cast to the dustbins of obscurity.
Monstrous City
Now this game sounded like a whole lot of fun… developed by Northstar studios for the original playstation. The player would assume the role of various monsters and would be tasked with reaching havoc upon the citizens of various cities, it was all very Godzilla like. A lot of work went in to the project with a load of monsters being designed for the game including a dracula style monster, a giant robot with powerful energy beams, bizzare mutants and a godzilla inspired dinosaur. Sadly the game never had the chance to be finished, due to Northstar Studios being unable to find a publisher willing to publish the game… All that remains of the game are a few screenshots from magazines that were issued during its development.
Lufia 3: Ruins Chaser
During 1998 a Japanese publisher by the name of Nihon Flex announced that it would be funding the development of the third game in the Lufia series. This title was to take place 300 years after the events of the original game and set to tie up all of the story threads from the past titles whilst simutanesolsy introducing a new one for further games in the series. The game was introduced to the public during the tokyo games show of 1998, a 12 page booklet was handed to attendees including artwork and details about the title… At this time it was stated that the game was 20% complete and development was moving along nicely… However shortly after the announcement the company financing the project Nihon Flex filed for bankruptcy which forced the project to be put on hold. A year later the game resurfaced under a different title of The legend returns and was no being developed for the Gameboy Colour…. At least the game did see some sort of a release it is just iunfortuante that the original vision was comprimised in order tocater for the Game boy colours hardware.
9
Video Showcase / Massive Game Room Tour! Collectables & Setup
« on: September 17, 2016, 05:34:31 pm »
Hey guys recently did a tour of my game room! I collect for many systems but mainly gravitate towards Nintendo. Mainly due to growing up with a NES and SNES =)
Let me know what you think of it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYK-Mb2iI8&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
Some pics!
Let me know what you think of it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYK-Mb2iI8&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
Some pics!
10
Video Showcase / Re: Top Ten Must Have Gamecube Games! What are yours?
« on: August 26, 2016, 01:03:56 pm »What actions restore the sanity meter in ED? The only time I could restore it was with restorative magic.
You would also get some back from performing finishing moves on enemies, as well as the restorative magic. Such a great game!
11
Video Showcase / Top Ten Must Have Gamecube Games! What are yours?
« on: August 26, 2016, 12:08:59 pm »
I wanted to share with you my favourite games for the Gamecube. I absolutely love this console and have so many good memories with it.
Video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZSI8HJBOh0&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
Twin Snakes
As with most Nintendo consoles, the company has had a hard time shaking the notion that there machines are specifically designed for children… And its not hard to subscribe to this idea as Nintendo have consistently released family friendly titles since the NES days. During the Gamecube era Nintendo secured many titles in order to shake this image, With Metal Gear Solid Twin Snakes being one of them. This is one of my favourite games for the machine, As fans of the show will know, I absolutely adore the MGS franchise so when the news hit about a remake coming to the Gamecube, I completely lost my shit! Twin snakes brings with it a remarkable graphical upgrade as well as several mechanics from MGS 2, including the ability to shoot in first person mode as ell as being able to hang of ledges in order to avoid detection. Along with the various graphical and gameplay updates, there were also several changes to made to the games cutscenes, instead being handled by famed japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura. These changes didn’t go down to well with loyal MGS fans and I agree with there concerns but thats another topic for another video. When it comes to stealth action on the Nintendo Gamecube… You’ll be hard pressed to find anything that tops Twin Snakes.
Wind Waker
Wind waker is by far my favourite Zelda game and I know this stance will probably get me some hate, but this game holds a special place in my heart. For many reasons upon being revealed to the public, there was much backlash pointed towards the game, mainly due to the cel shaded style of the games graphics. And Trust me I get it, I mean here we had the next game in the franchise presenting itself in an entirely different manner than what we were used to… But it just worked for me. Wind Waker picks up after the events of Ocarina and depicts a Hyrule that has succumbed to a great flood. The kingdom has been transformed into a great sea, populated by various islands.… It is your job to sail the seas in hopes of bringing down the evil forces behind the sinister events that have occurred.
In usual Zelda fashion you will find yourself exploring the various locations found throughout the game, whilst acquiring many knew items that will aid you in your quest. The story will take you through some surprising turns as you unravel the various mysteries that make up the plot. If Wind Waker is not your cup of tea… You can always try out Twilight Princess which is also a fantastic adventure worth your time.
P.N 03
As part of an exclusive deal with Capcom that saw the developer bring over key titles to the Gamecube, P.N. 03 is one of those games that unfortunately hit under the radar. I myself love this game and would defend it to the hills. It hard to describe, other than a rhythmic shooter that sees you busting moves whilst taking our enemies in style. You play as VANESSA, a freelance mercenary who works on colonized planets. She is contracted by a mysterious client to destroy the robots populated throughout the game world that have gone berserk. Storywise it is surprisingly good with a few twists and turns that will keep you guessing. The gorgeous clean graphics captivated my attention long before the release and delivered upon my expectations. If your a fan of devil may cry or possibly even vanquish... I would say that you would enjoy this one!
Resident Evil 4
Resident evil 4 was a clear turning point in the series... Abandoning the pre rendered goodness of the previous titles for a more realistic and fluid real time environment. But that's not all that changed, the gameplay was deeply revised and saw the birth of the popular over the shoulder shooter genre that has admittedly become a little populated these days. The story picks up after the events of the third game, following Leon Kennedy who is now responsible for the safety of the presidents daughter. She unfortunately managed to get kidnapped by a mysterious cult known as Los Illuminados. Throughout the game, expect the usual Resident Evil craziness including characters that just won’t die, grotesque giant trolls and insane high pitched midgets. But all joking aside, Resident Evil 4 is a really solid game and a testament to Nintendos commitment to shake that childish image.
Metroid Prime
Released in 2002, Metorid Prime bought the series into the first person perspective and as you can imagine many were skeptical as to how the transition would turn out… Up to this point The series was well known for its side scrolling action and had become one of Nintendos much beloved franchises… Retro Studios had a lot to prove and they delivered in every way possible. The game largely tales place on a planet known as Tallon IV formally inhabited by a race known as the Chozo… Throughout the adventure you will encounter many different enemies to sink your teeth into as well as some of the best boss fights you will find on the gamecube. The controls are responsive and go a long way to enhance the fluid combat and exploration found in the game
Super Mario Sunshine
Hopes we’re high that Mario could deliver after his absence at the Gamecubes launch and for all intent and purposes he did. Super Mario Sunshine was the first 3D mario to arrive after super mario 64, so you can imagine the type of pressure that was on the title to perform. Now I tend to liken this game to marmite, you either love it or you hate it. Many fans were not at all pleased with the new FLUDD mechanic that saw you squirting around the games environment using the power of water… But i got it, Marios a fucking plumber so it totally made sense for him to do this right? The game takes place on the tropical Isle Delfino, where Mario, Toad and Princess Peach, are on holiday. They learn of a local villain vandalizing the area with graffiti who is known as shadow Mario... Unfortunately due to his appearance Mario has to take the rap for the vandalism and is handed the FLUDD to clean up the mess. Regardless of wether or not you are a fan of the FLUDD system, you cannot deny that Sunshine is a solid Mario game… with all the platforming goodness and challenge present… There is no other platformer on the console that can stand close.
Eternal Darkness
A technical marvel at the time of release, Eternal Darkness is one of the most innovative games in the horror genre that deserves your time. There are so many great things to say about this game. The story is presented in such an eerie manner, with incredible music and great voice acting only adding to the tension as you make it through the games many locations.
The game centres around a gameplay concept known as the Sanity meter… A green bar that is present on the screen that can be depleted due to various factors but also restored by completing in game actions. If the player lets the bar run down… thats when strange shit starts to happen… strange distant cries, whispers…. distorted camera angles… Yeah seriously some strange shit. If your a fan of the horror genre, this one will be right up your alley.
Luigis Mansion
Many were disappointed when the Gamecube launched without a mario title, instead Nintendo handed the reins to Luigi in order to show off what the system was capable of. Trading in his jumping shoes for a hoover that would clearly make dyson jealous, the game sees you sucking up ghosts that inhabit a mysterious mansion, that mario has managed to loose himself in. Throughout the game you are aided by a character know as elvin gadd, the person who invented the poltergeist 3000 hoover. He will pop up on your trusty Gameboy horror to fill you in on your objective as well as the ghosts you will encounter. This was the first game I picked up for the console and I love it! If you don’t feel like going back, the sequel has been released for the Nintendo 3DS, so check out that version.
Rouge Squadron 2
Appearing on the console at launch Star Wars Rouge Squadron 2 delivered what I can only describe as a premier Star wars experience… Everything about the game felt alive and true to the original source material. From the first opening level that recreates the ‘attack on the death star to cruising along the icy plains of hoth. The game truly is a testament to the power of the machine and the fact it appeared at launch is further testament to the talent of the development team behind it. As mentioned the game recreates various moments of the entire trilogy so expect a wide variety of locations as well as mission types. Early on your are restricted to what type of craft you can use for each mission but as you complete each level you are given the option to go back and choose from any craft you have available. If your a Star Wars fan this one is a no brainer!
F-Zero GX
This quite simply has to be the best futuristic racing game ever made. It was Brought to us by the great minds of Sega in conjunction with Nintendo and was released in to the arcades under the different title of Fzero AX. The premise of F-zero is simple… you Hop into your racing ship and fly around tracks at insaaaaaane speeds… I mean you literally blink and you crash and because of this the game has managed to acquire a reputation for its crushing difficulty. But if your up for the challenge you will find a highly rewarding story mode as well as time attack and various others that will keep you busy for quite sometime!
Video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZSI8HJBOh0&list=UUnLBpuFZwsZkFZCbSzvb9ZQ
Twin Snakes
As with most Nintendo consoles, the company has had a hard time shaking the notion that there machines are specifically designed for children… And its not hard to subscribe to this idea as Nintendo have consistently released family friendly titles since the NES days. During the Gamecube era Nintendo secured many titles in order to shake this image, With Metal Gear Solid Twin Snakes being one of them. This is one of my favourite games for the machine, As fans of the show will know, I absolutely adore the MGS franchise so when the news hit about a remake coming to the Gamecube, I completely lost my shit! Twin snakes brings with it a remarkable graphical upgrade as well as several mechanics from MGS 2, including the ability to shoot in first person mode as ell as being able to hang of ledges in order to avoid detection. Along with the various graphical and gameplay updates, there were also several changes to made to the games cutscenes, instead being handled by famed japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura. These changes didn’t go down to well with loyal MGS fans and I agree with there concerns but thats another topic for another video. When it comes to stealth action on the Nintendo Gamecube… You’ll be hard pressed to find anything that tops Twin Snakes.
Wind Waker
Wind waker is by far my favourite Zelda game and I know this stance will probably get me some hate, but this game holds a special place in my heart. For many reasons upon being revealed to the public, there was much backlash pointed towards the game, mainly due to the cel shaded style of the games graphics. And Trust me I get it, I mean here we had the next game in the franchise presenting itself in an entirely different manner than what we were used to… But it just worked for me. Wind Waker picks up after the events of Ocarina and depicts a Hyrule that has succumbed to a great flood. The kingdom has been transformed into a great sea, populated by various islands.… It is your job to sail the seas in hopes of bringing down the evil forces behind the sinister events that have occurred.
In usual Zelda fashion you will find yourself exploring the various locations found throughout the game, whilst acquiring many knew items that will aid you in your quest. The story will take you through some surprising turns as you unravel the various mysteries that make up the plot. If Wind Waker is not your cup of tea… You can always try out Twilight Princess which is also a fantastic adventure worth your time.
P.N 03
As part of an exclusive deal with Capcom that saw the developer bring over key titles to the Gamecube, P.N. 03 is one of those games that unfortunately hit under the radar. I myself love this game and would defend it to the hills. It hard to describe, other than a rhythmic shooter that sees you busting moves whilst taking our enemies in style. You play as VANESSA, a freelance mercenary who works on colonized planets. She is contracted by a mysterious client to destroy the robots populated throughout the game world that have gone berserk. Storywise it is surprisingly good with a few twists and turns that will keep you guessing. The gorgeous clean graphics captivated my attention long before the release and delivered upon my expectations. If your a fan of devil may cry or possibly even vanquish... I would say that you would enjoy this one!
Resident Evil 4
Resident evil 4 was a clear turning point in the series... Abandoning the pre rendered goodness of the previous titles for a more realistic and fluid real time environment. But that's not all that changed, the gameplay was deeply revised and saw the birth of the popular over the shoulder shooter genre that has admittedly become a little populated these days. The story picks up after the events of the third game, following Leon Kennedy who is now responsible for the safety of the presidents daughter. She unfortunately managed to get kidnapped by a mysterious cult known as Los Illuminados. Throughout the game, expect the usual Resident Evil craziness including characters that just won’t die, grotesque giant trolls and insane high pitched midgets. But all joking aside, Resident Evil 4 is a really solid game and a testament to Nintendos commitment to shake that childish image.
Metroid Prime
Released in 2002, Metorid Prime bought the series into the first person perspective and as you can imagine many were skeptical as to how the transition would turn out… Up to this point The series was well known for its side scrolling action and had become one of Nintendos much beloved franchises… Retro Studios had a lot to prove and they delivered in every way possible. The game largely tales place on a planet known as Tallon IV formally inhabited by a race known as the Chozo… Throughout the adventure you will encounter many different enemies to sink your teeth into as well as some of the best boss fights you will find on the gamecube. The controls are responsive and go a long way to enhance the fluid combat and exploration found in the game
Super Mario Sunshine
Hopes we’re high that Mario could deliver after his absence at the Gamecubes launch and for all intent and purposes he did. Super Mario Sunshine was the first 3D mario to arrive after super mario 64, so you can imagine the type of pressure that was on the title to perform. Now I tend to liken this game to marmite, you either love it or you hate it. Many fans were not at all pleased with the new FLUDD mechanic that saw you squirting around the games environment using the power of water… But i got it, Marios a fucking plumber so it totally made sense for him to do this right? The game takes place on the tropical Isle Delfino, where Mario, Toad and Princess Peach, are on holiday. They learn of a local villain vandalizing the area with graffiti who is known as shadow Mario... Unfortunately due to his appearance Mario has to take the rap for the vandalism and is handed the FLUDD to clean up the mess. Regardless of wether or not you are a fan of the FLUDD system, you cannot deny that Sunshine is a solid Mario game… with all the platforming goodness and challenge present… There is no other platformer on the console that can stand close.
Eternal Darkness
A technical marvel at the time of release, Eternal Darkness is one of the most innovative games in the horror genre that deserves your time. There are so many great things to say about this game. The story is presented in such an eerie manner, with incredible music and great voice acting only adding to the tension as you make it through the games many locations.
The game centres around a gameplay concept known as the Sanity meter… A green bar that is present on the screen that can be depleted due to various factors but also restored by completing in game actions. If the player lets the bar run down… thats when strange shit starts to happen… strange distant cries, whispers…. distorted camera angles… Yeah seriously some strange shit. If your a fan of the horror genre, this one will be right up your alley.
Luigis Mansion
Many were disappointed when the Gamecube launched without a mario title, instead Nintendo handed the reins to Luigi in order to show off what the system was capable of. Trading in his jumping shoes for a hoover that would clearly make dyson jealous, the game sees you sucking up ghosts that inhabit a mysterious mansion, that mario has managed to loose himself in. Throughout the game you are aided by a character know as elvin gadd, the person who invented the poltergeist 3000 hoover. He will pop up on your trusty Gameboy horror to fill you in on your objective as well as the ghosts you will encounter. This was the first game I picked up for the console and I love it! If you don’t feel like going back, the sequel has been released for the Nintendo 3DS, so check out that version.
Rouge Squadron 2
Appearing on the console at launch Star Wars Rouge Squadron 2 delivered what I can only describe as a premier Star wars experience… Everything about the game felt alive and true to the original source material. From the first opening level that recreates the ‘attack on the death star to cruising along the icy plains of hoth. The game truly is a testament to the power of the machine and the fact it appeared at launch is further testament to the talent of the development team behind it. As mentioned the game recreates various moments of the entire trilogy so expect a wide variety of locations as well as mission types. Early on your are restricted to what type of craft you can use for each mission but as you complete each level you are given the option to go back and choose from any craft you have available. If your a Star Wars fan this one is a no brainer!
F-Zero GX
This quite simply has to be the best futuristic racing game ever made. It was Brought to us by the great minds of Sega in conjunction with Nintendo and was released in to the arcades under the different title of Fzero AX. The premise of F-zero is simple… you Hop into your racing ship and fly around tracks at insaaaaaane speeds… I mean you literally blink and you crash and because of this the game has managed to acquire a reputation for its crushing difficulty. But if your up for the challenge you will find a highly rewarding story mode as well as time attack and various others that will keep you busy for quite sometime!
12
Modern Video Games / Re: Stop waiting for a new 2D Metroid? Ori has you covered.
« on: July 30, 2016, 07:11:56 am »
Ori and the Blind Forest is an awesome game man, had so much fun playing it! I'd say the best aspect of the game for me has to be the music.
13
Video Showcase / Huge Game Room Tour!
« on: July 30, 2016, 07:01:59 am »
Hey guys recently did a tour of my brothers game room! He collects for many systems but has an obsession with the PS2!
Let me know what you think of it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIK16H25R4I
Some pics!
Let me know what you think of it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIK16H25R4I
Some pics!
14
Video Showcase / Re: Arcade Playthroughs/Runs/1ccs/ etc.
« on: June 27, 2016, 06:54:18 am »I finally managed to get a good setup for my laptop to record mame.
Here's a quick vid to start things off; this is the arcade Contra :
Great video man, thanks for sharing =) Im currently in the throws of trying to setup a Mame machine for myself!
15
Video Showcase / Re: These cancelled Dreamcast games looked AWESOME!
« on: June 20, 2016, 09:22:50 pm »My bad was mistaken with billy hatcher!ToeJam & Earl was on the GameCube?I think the canceled ToeJam & Earl would have been well-suited for the Dreamcast but we got that one for XBox eventually. Half-Life looked sick
Nice I played ToeJam & Earl on the Gamecube myself. I know, its a shame it got cancelled! Man I miss Sega lol