Gaming
Retro Review: Pokemon Snap (N64)
Release Date: March 21, 1999 Developer: HAL Laboratory, Inc.; Nintendo Co., Ltd. Publisher: Nintendo Co., Ltd. When Pokemon Snap was announced for the Wii U Virtual Console, there were some smiles among fans of the series. The game, originally released on the Nintendo 64 in 1999, was already available on the Wii’s Virtual Console, and that version is compatible with the Wii U. The new version mere...[Read More]
Retro Review: SimCity (SNES)
Release Date: August 23, 1991 Developer: Maxis Software, Inc. Publisher: Nintendo of America, Inc. The Super Nintendo officially launched on August 23, 1991 in North America. It launched with a measly five games, but the games were noteworthy. Super Mario World was, of course, the heavy hitter and a pack-in title. F-Zero and Pilotwings were the system’s tech mules, showing off the SNES’s “Mode 7”...[Read More]
GaCuCon Gaming Cruise Gives Me Reason to Get my Passport
I’ve never been on a cruise before. I have been on boats before; living in Miami, you end up on one sooner or later. But those trips have been relegated to tours around Biscayne Bay and (mostly) failed fishing trips. Thanks to GaCuCon, I might finally get on a real cruise ship. Let’s get this part out of the way first: this is not an ordinary day cruise to the Bahamas. GaCuCon combines three thing...[Read More]
2016 and Video Games: The Bullshit Year in Review
Every year, by the time Christmas passes, we all take stock in the year we had. Many of us look back, promise to do better next year, and look forward to a better New Year. I don’t make that promise, because I know I’m going to fuck up just as bad in the upcoming year as I did in the year I’m ending, if not worse. I’m old; I ain’t changing anything except my underwear, and even THAT can be prolong...[Read More]
Retro Review: Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1)
Release Date: June 20, 1997 Developer: Square Co., Ltd. Publisher: Square Co., Ltd. (EDIT: the artwork was changed after several astute gamers noticed – and I didn’t! – that the artwork I originally used was for Final Fantasy Tactics Advance for the GBA, not the original. I blame laziness – and plus, the artwork was pretty. Thanks to Daniel Monserrat form The Gaming Experie...[Read More]
Never Played: Aliens: Colonial Marines
I think it’s obvious why I avoided Aliens: Colonial Marines. It’s not an excuse, though. As readers who read my Never Played review of Assassin’s Creed: Unity may remember, I prefer to base my proclamation on a game being shit on actual experience, not just word of mouth. But the literary venom spewed towards this game was enough that I stayed away. Sometimes, trusted reviews scare you away, and r...[Read More]
‘Tis the Season to Get Great Video Games Gifts
I am part of the first generation to transition from “normal” Christmas presents like toys to getting video games for Christmas. I vaguely remember my last Christmas where I only received toys. The presents were indicative of my era. I received Hot Wheels cars, Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, LEGO blocks, and an electric slot car set that year. I felt like I had been the best child in North America th...[Read More]
The Truth about Modern Games in the Internet Age
I could not wait for December 20th to arrive. The perennially unfinished Street Fighter V was finally going to add my favorite World Warrior, Akuma. He was formally introduced during the PlayStation Experience keynote address, and his new look reminded me more of Mufasa than Gouki, but he was still awesome. I purposely racked up enough Fight Money in the game just to grab him. There was only one p...[Read More]
Retro Review: Golgo-13: Top Secret Episode (NES)
Release Date: 1988 Developer: Vic Tokai Corporation Publisher: Vic Tokai, Inc. This article is late. I apologize for the delay. Sometimes, life gets in the way. Anime has been a big influence in gaming for years. Anime staples like Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon have been the basis for very successful video game franchises. Moreover, games with anime aesthetics have seen acclaim. One needs to go no fur...[Read More]
Retro Review: SoulCalibur (DC)
Release Date: September 9, 1999 Developer: Project Soul Publisher: Namco There sure have been a lot of notable anniversaries in the last couple of months that conspire to make me feel even older. The most recent anniversary to add to the gray in my beard is the 20th Anniversary of Bandai Namco’s Soulcalibur series. The series pioneered true 8-way 3D, weapons-based combat and has been a staple of t...[Read More]
Final Fantasy XV Review
Developer: Square Enix Holdings, XPEC Entertainment, HexaDrive, Streamline Studios, Umbra Publisher: Square Enix Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4 Release Date: November 29, 2016 Acquired via: Purchase by Reviewer After 10 years, a name change, a direction change, and going through more hands than found in a football huddle, Final Fantasy XV has finally arrived. As a fan of the series dating back t...[Read More]
The Last Guardian Review- The Nature of the Beast
Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Team Ico, GenDesign, SIE Japan Studio Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4 Release Date: December 6, 2016 Acquired via: Purchase by Reviewer From the encyclopedic and antiquated illustrations of various mystical beasts during the opening credits, it’s clear that The Last Guardian exists in a world of its own. Du...[Read More]