tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63366309827226138632024-03-05T12:26:34.491-05:00Backward Compatible Video Game BlogDan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-31298521575845207072012-06-05T23:04:00.001-04:002012-06-05T23:04:30.852-04:00You seen this?: VGHSRing the bell--school is in, sucka.<br />
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YouTube sensation <a href="http://www.youtube.com/show?p=U0nTOa4DFrs&tracker=show_av" target="_blank">Freddie Wong</a> has leveraged his talent as a VFX guy, film editor, and professional Guitar Hero into creating the Kickstarter-funded web series, Video Game High School.<br />
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It's pretty much Harry Potter seasoned heavily with the ass-clenching horror of Xbox Live chat, and it totally works for me. The writing is generic, but the concept, execution, and special effects should be more than enough to capture the interest of anyone reading this.<br />
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The series tells the story of <strike>Harry</strike> Brian D.--your average teenage gamer and assault rifle-wielding Canadian--after he's recruited into VGHS following an accidental victory over the school's number-one FPS jock, "The Law." (Like I said, it's no <em>Grapes of Wrath</em>, but it's definitely entertaining.)<br />
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Check out the first episode here, and the rest of the ongoing series at Freddie's website, <a href="http://rocketjump.com/">RocketJump.com</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1JqR3GVqib4" width="560"></iframe>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-54606614229817447192012-06-03T18:29:00.000-04:002012-06-03T18:29:40.306-04:00Top 5 List: Catchy NES SongsThe brain is a funny thing. I might have a hard time remembering how old I am, but I'll never forget the theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.<br />
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Speaking of catchy tunes, I've compiled a list of five classic NES songs that have taken up permanent residence deep within my gray matter. What are some video game songs (NES or otherwise) that have stuck with you? Leave a comment, and thanks for watching!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kmwXHnq-Jcc" width="560"></iframe>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-35309997330582544822012-06-03T11:18:00.001-04:002012-06-03T11:18:58.147-04:00Stadium Events<br />
It's 2012. We've suffered long enough with a mere 24 hours in the day. How are we supposed to accomplish anything when we're given just 1,440 minutes? I demand more minutes.<br /><br />That said, my last post was 44 days ago. That's 63,360 minutes. What have I been up to with all of those minutes? Sadly, not much video gaming. Instead, I trained for and completed my first half-marathon. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqWCNf7va7vqfONZjUqYxvNO_5BkKlh7X3_IcJ3QDwfhoD6JOCO8Icxro_f-fmg2ChX7kcKoXgmGhsatq8yDTNnThXKwMXDHCz-G04ZcAPnVgdLzi32-AHGuwOVgZZmWPetzSXUzCqa8U/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqWCNf7va7vqfONZjUqYxvNO_5BkKlh7X3_IcJ3QDwfhoD6JOCO8Icxro_f-fmg2ChX7kcKoXgmGhsatq8yDTNnThXKwMXDHCz-G04ZcAPnVgdLzi32-AHGuwOVgZZmWPetzSXUzCqa8U/s320/IMG_3611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I won't lie: it wasn't easy--and I didn't do as well as I would have liked--but that's why I'm so excited to be competing in another at the end of September. <br />
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And speaking of disappointment, I truly regretted casting aside my blogging duties to become a better runner. But hey--there's only so many minutes in the day. <br /><br />But let's not get too down and out--after all, I'm back! However, the hours I'm training are hours I'm not blogging. And I'm okay with that. <br /><br />The good news is that I'm more inspired than ever to keep up with this silly blog of mine. The bad news is that posts and videos won't be as frequent as they once were. More good news: if I'm not blogging, I'm probably running. <br />
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Fun fact! Today's a recovery day, which as far as I'm concerned is a green light to play as many games as I like. Time to record some footage! <br />
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So what have you been up to for the last 44 days?<br />Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-33135764691386131342012-04-10T20:58:00.001-04:002012-04-10T20:58:27.354-04:00Batman (NES) ReviewHow can something so simple be so difficult? This question can apply to both playing Batman on the NES and uploading a Batman review onto YouTube. <br />
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For any number of reasons, it required no less than 10 attempts at rendering and a separate three tries at actually uploading the video. All in all, I think I spent more time watching scrolling bars than the time it took to develop the game.<br />
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Good news: the review is up and my favorite to date. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_B-GyVPILwQ" width="560"></iframe>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-40369145227248278162012-04-03T20:46:00.000-04:002012-04-03T20:46:04.639-04:00Blast Corps Video ReviewMayhem! Destruction! Banjos! All of this and much more in my Blast Corps video review. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rehkimsnipk" width="560"></iframe>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-84856187565269045852012-03-29T23:42:00.001-04:002012-03-29T23:42:45.962-04:00Recent Pickups Episode 6, Part 3: Insert CDWelcome back to recent pickups, episode 6! Part 3 is all about the random disc-based games I've picked up all around town. Not a stinker in the bunch. Of course, I do my best to avoid (or sell) games I have no intention of playing. Here's what made the cut:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Rhythm Heaven Fever</span> </strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoVpXknrimuOIIw_rPCFl_wQkLa4PCE6CQm6fQmQJUbTcwAb1nqgexYm9ALBobU7EhO2jfBFfS5jkG4kajfGR01xO-pXI83OlxnIDFumrZeEAjKnE64x03pZjZguh9ClrOTDpskqbYoUQ/s1600/IMG_3567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoVpXknrimuOIIw_rPCFl_wQkLa4PCE6CQm6fQmQJUbTcwAb1nqgexYm9ALBobU7EhO2jfBFfS5jkG4kajfGR01xO-pXI83OlxnIDFumrZeEAjKnE64x03pZjZguh9ClrOTDpskqbYoUQ/s320/IMG_3567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: Nintendo Wii<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">February 13, 2012<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-westrelease_0-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_Heaven_Fever#cite_note-westrelease-0"></a></sup></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Nintendo<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Nintendo<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Target<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Bought new!<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>If you buy this knowing what the Rhythm Heaven series is all about, you're going to get exactly what you expect. Short version: lots of fun. Long version: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiiFapoNIjE&feature=g-upl&context=G2eb8777AUAAAAAAAAAA" target="_blank">watch my review</a>!<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Console</strong>: Xbox<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">October 21, 2003</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>FASA Interactive<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Microsoft<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Goodwill<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Good...no, great!<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>Heard a lot of good things about this game from a coworker, and according to the cover, it's the best Xbox live game. For a couple of bucks, how could I resist?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Sega GT 2002/Jet Set Radio Future Combo Disc</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Console</strong>: Xbox<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;"> October 15, 2002</span><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Sega<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Microsoft<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Half Price Books<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Sealed...until I unsealed it.<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>For $5, how could anyone with an Xbox and thumbs pass this up? I've never played wither of these games, but I <em>have</em> played their predecessors. Based on that, I can safely assume that I'm in for a treat. Two treats, in fact. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmfEwBNqa91_ziZ_Yf4GKMBtJjGCzPnm22uNpIPowHh4sfeK5D76HBQnEnTRfLzHvizWn1-UZMW9KS5dSmnEcA_FuZ5io1usgn952xTS5O21SgOVVF-p-8x7nh-s4tgX3PZhnH_3xqiNf/s1600/IMG_3572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmfEwBNqa91_ziZ_Yf4GKMBtJjGCzPnm22uNpIPowHh4sfeK5D76HBQnEnTRfLzHvizWn1-UZMW9KS5dSmnEcA_FuZ5io1usgn952xTS5O21SgOVVF-p-8x7nh-s4tgX3PZhnH_3xqiNf/s320/IMG_3572.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>Console</strong>: Game Cube</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;"> October 15, 2002</span><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Victor Interactive</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Natsume</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Half Price Books</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> Not half bad!</div>
<strong>Notes: </strong>How am I going to explain this to my wife? "Yeah, honey, I'll mow the lawn in a little bit. Just let me finish what I'm doing here in this yard work simulator."<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Gotcha Force</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Console</strong>: Game Cube<br />
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;"> December 3, 2003</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Capcom</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Capcom</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Gamestop</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> Hey, at least they didn't try to tell me it was new. It ain't.</div>
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<strong>Notes: </strong>Picked this up after reading an interesting post over on the <a href="http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=36380" target="_blank">Racketboy.com forums</a>. Some believe that this game is going to be worth a buttload of money (for reference, I paid $12 and it sells for $20-$50 on ebay right now). Regardless of all of that, It's Pokemon with robots, so who cares what it's worth? </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Modnation Racers</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrIQ40mNe8gvn3h7B51aylv4hnkPn9rRuBxSd7e2beTHxofSPHVldOWdr_J7JRntERjXvHUjjrLWNgq1rUZnaer4RPoDTtAaGLOENpvZEKzzi5j0D3HbdfDt0veLYVOXRChM-Jsrsav2a/s1600/IMG_3574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrIQ40mNe8gvn3h7B51aylv4hnkPn9rRuBxSd7e2beTHxofSPHVldOWdr_J7JRntERjXvHUjjrLWNgq1rUZnaer4RPoDTtAaGLOENpvZEKzzi5j0D3HbdfDt0veLYVOXRChM-Jsrsav2a/s320/IMG_3574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: Playstation 3<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;"> May 25, 2010<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Release_7-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modnation_Racers#cite_note-Release-7"></a></sup></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>United Front Games<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Sony Computer Entertainment<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Goodwill<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Was once possibly in a dog's mouth.<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>Dudes. Seriously. If this isn't the world's best advertisement for shopping at Goodwill, I don't know what is. I bought Modnation Racers for one dollar. One. And there's probably only a little hepatitis on it. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Child of Eden</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Console</strong>: Playstation 3<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;"> June 14, 2011<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-official_release_date_1_0-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_of_Eden#cite_note-official_release_date_1-0"></a></sup></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Q Entertainment<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Ubisoft<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Target<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> New (gasp!)<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>Usually I like to clean up and peel the stickers off of my recent pickups. This, however, is a special case. I bought Child of Eden at Target on clearance for $12 and I want you to know about it. Go! Get yours now! Go!<br />
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That's it for tonight! I hope you guys like Dreamcast, because it's going to get shot all in your eyeballs for part 4. Stay tuned!Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-20881002563688843182012-03-28T22:45:00.000-04:002012-03-28T22:59:12.547-04:00Recent Pickups Episode 6, Part 2: Eu-N64-ia!Once up a time, I had an extra Dreamcast. My brother sent me a super minty console a little while back, leaving me with my old and busted example as trade bait. Here's a portion of what I got for it as part of a deal I struck on Racketboy.com.: <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Extreme-G 2</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGJeyNjKqlLmxJNrXJv1EoWXsO7OkPmY0GGHgVI9dJ0aN0fv6Sl-ilaMTB6VG-Q37r7y2ihePWuHxk7kgRpcEPFYXHektTao8STpDIl1PYwTtlG4DHUOkxP1jLgKqUrUyZbnvZO-uiMq6/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGJeyNjKqlLmxJNrXJv1EoWXsO7OkPmY0GGHgVI9dJ0aN0fv6Sl-ilaMTB6VG-Q37r7y2ihePWuHxk7kgRpcEPFYXHektTao8STpDIl1PYwTtlG4DHUOkxP1jLgKqUrUyZbnvZO-uiMq6/s320/IMG_3558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">October 7, 1998</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Probe Entertainment (heh.)<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Acclaim<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Extremely Good (clever, right?)...until my vigorous scrubbing took part of the label with it. Damn you, extra strength Goo Gone! Damn you!<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>The sequel to what I thought was a pretty competent N64 racer. And hey, you can break the sound barrier in this one. SONIC BOOOOOOOM!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Perfect Dark</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBEYQAoUeasneSDdlA8IVQT3yPE3j8wYBqPtGvtdSxbxgbEv935TSdWc2neD7KBNP8E22tC6agL7LnhjCgZpTfzwkEShm7ommIW91WOHv4_CUXuBHYlMuXN10Tj97hm0PiPWVgTK-NAWm/s1600/IMG_3559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBEYQAoUeasneSDdlA8IVQT3yPE3j8wYBqPtGvtdSxbxgbEv935TSdWc2neD7KBNP8E22tC6agL7LnhjCgZpTfzwkEShm7ommIW91WOHv4_CUXuBHYlMuXN10Tj97hm0PiPWVgTK-NAWm/s320/IMG_3559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">May 22, 2000</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Rare<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Rare<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Perfecto!<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>Believe it or not, I've never played Perfect Dark. By the time it was released, I had moved onto the Dreamcast. That said, I can't wait to give it a whirl. According to many, it's one of the diffinitive N64 shooters, and with its Goldeneye pedigree, I believe it!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn_LfA7dqwOI20Rv_7j35JqI1cYY_H28LflvXCT1s6Z2ak-lyIXtCceD6NBdwA1TF0NemSoRmnjw4O_3N30Kr8qTLC73nlUDrCij6vpwbQCPY7O_RtGpg454R2TtOt_6brhg_hsUzQuK5/s1600/IMG_3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn_LfA7dqwOI20Rv_7j35JqI1cYY_H28LflvXCT1s6Z2ak-lyIXtCceD6NBdwA1TF0NemSoRmnjw4O_3N30Kr8qTLC73nlUDrCij6vpwbQCPY7O_RtGpg454R2TtOt_6brhg_hsUzQuK5/s320/IMG_3560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">October 31, 1996</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>William's Entertainment<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Midway<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Goooooooooooooal!<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>It's NFL Blitz...with sticks! Don't let the full-on Canadian title fool you, this game is ridiculously fun and addictive. Big head mode, anyone?<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Automobili Lamborghini</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ56PRfqaKSDIkOaQ665vGtvEYIasC9cEuK7n7D13_uQiyenA2ls3tgJkUz6fFRGaqEVk8eM3JOTT4RzrTddiVKWxUogtq9YOCB5QJ2PlVQesasxvPrCYisnwO-uHcOSrJBIvgZoBUW8wR/s1600/IMG_3561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ56PRfqaKSDIkOaQ665vGtvEYIasC9cEuK7n7D13_uQiyenA2ls3tgJkUz6fFRGaqEVk8eM3JOTT4RzrTddiVKWxUogtq9YOCB5QJ2PlVQesasxvPrCYisnwO-uHcOSrJBIvgZoBUW8wR/s320/IMG_3561.JPG" width="320" /></strong></a></div>
<strong>Console: </strong>Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">November 30, 1997</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer:</strong> Titus Software<br />
<strong>Publisher:</strong> Titus Software<br />
<strong>Acquired From:</strong> Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Bull shittyish<br />
<strong>Notes:</strong> I remember having a lot of fun with this game back in the day. Strangely, Automobili Lamborghini doesn't feature any actual Lamborghinis. Regardless, I'm looking forward to giving it another play. Hopefully this game about old Italian cars doesn't disappoint me like an old Italian car.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU7BJ-UsL-xkEU9EbwMGkAME0mmvd7ht3MDPW0hjoAsS4Tn3UpNwNUIlQYTy9l1mqvqn1Jhv1Vh6fmQLxpmd2a5awJxhLjZRCbXyrFAyqF2twSvLzvJnJx9ZKnWLHzw5yUdR-9fbssufQ/s1600/IMG_3562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU7BJ-UsL-xkEU9EbwMGkAME0mmvd7ht3MDPW0hjoAsS4Tn3UpNwNUIlQYTy9l1mqvqn1Jhv1Vh6fmQLxpmd2a5awJxhLjZRCbXyrFAyqF2twSvLzvJnJx9ZKnWLHzw5yUdR-9fbssufQ/s320/IMG_3562.JPG" width="320" /></strong></a></div>
<strong>Console:</strong> Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">December 3, 1996<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ign_0-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Shadows_of_the_Empire_(video_game)#cite_note-ign-0"></a></sup></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer:</strong> LucasArts<br />
<strong>Publisher:</strong> Nintendo<br />
<strong>Acquired From:</strong> Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Grrrwarrrh warrrrh garh (wookie for "ew.")<br />
<strong>Notes:</strong> This was the first game I owned for the N64. It starts with an excellent snowspeeder level, then goes straight to the garbage smasher. But hey, it's still more entertaining than Episode 1.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Turok 2: Seeds of Evil</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg416DyTHQoCXUOg2RL8uU67ABUE15hgRUYwvgpLOVKfeTFYxxZb_bv5jImkVKLlxRGzFfVw5PrVj7W3WEB7NrTwWc6tflWUeaM4ROCmkMzwnyxUERBCL91y3c2YGzus4Xm665yLJqquxLr/s1600/IMG_3563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg416DyTHQoCXUOg2RL8uU67ABUE15hgRUYwvgpLOVKfeTFYxxZb_bv5jImkVKLlxRGzFfVw5PrVj7W3WEB7NrTwWc6tflWUeaM4ROCmkMzwnyxUERBCL91y3c2YGzus4Xm665yLJqquxLr/s320/IMG_3563.JPG" width="320" /></strong></a></div>
<strong>Console:</strong> Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">December, 1998</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer:</strong> Iguana Entertainment<br />
<strong>Publisher:</strong> Acclaim<br />
<strong>Acquired From:</strong> Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> All N64 cartridges should be black. They stay so much cleaner.<br />
Notes: Cerebral bore. That's all you need to know...until it drills into your brain and explodes. Then you're on your own.<strong> <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Winback: Covert Operations</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AouCFQlYsP3ApMu2d4juBFJAUS2qlqoS7TYPqwhoA8VrL9XhR8Igb6gUAKChy4Mk9b070Kwd1Mlvoq0NUASmj3dlHgnsbr7re-QgUmdzYaNjPMruPVQEZfwfHWpYR9F_U2JtVb9KcoxW/s1600/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AouCFQlYsP3ApMu2d4juBFJAUS2qlqoS7TYPqwhoA8VrL9XhR8Igb6gUAKChy4Mk9b070Kwd1Mlvoq0NUASmj3dlHgnsbr7re-QgUmdzYaNjPMruPVQEZfwfHWpYR9F_U2JtVb9KcoxW/s320/IMG_3564.JPG" width="320" /></strong></a></div>
<strong>Console:</strong> Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">October 20, 1999 </span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"></span><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer:</strong> Omega Force<br />
<strong>Publisher:</strong> Koei<br />
<strong>Acquired From:</strong> Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> That'll do, pig.<br />
<strong>Notes:</strong> Was always curious about this game, but never got around to play it. If Wikipedia is to be believed, Winback is the great grand daddy of the now ubiquitous 3rd person cover-based shooter. That's enough to get me interested again.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPRL8-axEv9XTKP-LtqQP0ESz8-f0_xoYyGU4I24t7u4s-_gtjKYUBrckJOkI4ZNDjMf_OMEitUFtyneCQIkgz9J8rBoWtD0_a7uFTbpWR21X9xIyDGQJeAb1ZhbrhBL_7A7dLxHUURp-/s1600/IMG_3565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPRL8-axEv9XTKP-LtqQP0ESz8-f0_xoYyGU4I24t7u4s-_gtjKYUBrckJOkI4ZNDjMf_OMEitUFtyneCQIkgz9J8rBoWtD0_a7uFTbpWR21X9xIyDGQJeAb1ZhbrhBL_7A7dLxHUURp-/s320/IMG_3565.JPG" width="320" /></strong></a></div>
<strong>Console:</strong> Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">August 30, 2000<strong> </strong></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"></span><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer:</strong> Acclaim<br />
<strong>Publisher:</strong> Acclaim<br />
<strong>Acquired From:</strong> Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Amazingly good<br />
<strong>Notes:</strong> 100% honest? I didn't even know that Turok 3 was a thing before I got it as part of this mega trade. For the price (essentially zero), how could I resist? I'm sure Turok 3 will answer all of my nagging questions surrounding the original trilogy's rich plot points. (roll eyes.)<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Cruis'n USA</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBuNBh-mTbM5Z3g8SCzlQpbAQwvvTV7tEr-SFX3uWEL5Kg560vLvugJ3W0c4OnWHi-imt_HF9Nc7zRPYDFNwVMRNOKA5BKLxhnd8jgikE1Gd1WHlXj-M0ZV6FbSZB52lC_PqHhGe2uYND/s1600/IMG_3566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBuNBh-mTbM5Z3g8SCzlQpbAQwvvTV7tEr-SFX3uWEL5Kg560vLvugJ3W0c4OnWHi-imt_HF9Nc7zRPYDFNwVMRNOKA5BKLxhnd8jgikE1Gd1WHlXj-M0ZV6FbSZB52lC_PqHhGe2uYND/s320/IMG_3566.JPG" width="320" /></strong></a></div>
<strong>Console:</strong> Nintendo 64<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">December 3, 1996</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"></span><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer:</strong> Midway<br />
<strong>Publisher:</strong> Nintendo<br />
<strong>Acquired From:</strong> Goodwill<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Foine, girl.<br />
<strong>Notes:</strong> Take your pick: Cruis'n USA or Killer Instinct. If you bought an N64 on launch day, there's a pretty good chance that one or the other sold you on the system. Happy to have Cruis'n in the box--since N64 games are conspicuously lacking top labels, boxed is the best way to keep them organized...just not the cheapest.<br />
<br />
<br />
Weirdly, I'm getting a pretty nice N64 collection going without much effort on my part. Unfortunately, most N64 games haven't stood up well against the test of time, but it's still a blast having these gems in my collection. <br />
<br />
Next up, a nice smattering of disc-based games. Stay tuned!<strong> </strong>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-16425895320951883372012-03-27T22:56:00.000-04:002012-03-27T22:56:19.459-04:00Recent Pickups Episode 6, Part 1: Sega do what Ninten-do, too.For this installment of Recent Pickups, I'll be using the term "recent" pretty loosely. With the whole YouTube thing picking up steam, my light box being in pieces, and any number of other poor excuses, it's been quite a while since we've seen a new episode. In that time, I've added another 40 or so games to the collection, and These date back the furthest of them all:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Strider</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWLd5gm40ewiUlptsv91wCS1xIJE8aUfdFtzycMMouV-6ZMxXb_T0MtE6xi2Y_iwOps-1aim7h7vbEwRO_CTygb2l_7FjH9MxTkTCaEiOZEcper5o3ORE20rCVauxDi8LX5u53RYZIoK1/s1600/IMG_3547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWLd5gm40ewiUlptsv91wCS1xIJE8aUfdFtzycMMouV-6ZMxXb_T0MtE6xi2Y_iwOps-1aim7h7vbEwRO_CTygb2l_7FjH9MxTkTCaEiOZEcper5o3ORE20rCVauxDi8LX5u53RYZIoK1/s320/IMG_3547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: NES<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">July, 1989</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Capcom<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Capcom<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Racketboy.com trade<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> I'll take it!<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>A must-have for any NES collection! I could go on and on about how great Strider is, but all you need to know is that Hiryu swings his sword so hard and fast that all you see is speed lines. And if you hear that telltale "SHING SHING" sound, you're already dead. ...SHING SHING!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Air Fortress</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EDiHohhiHizd8UGR0KfC_gMiRISqApVRT1UOPMJcRuBuoQT8Qn8FF5U8C13zbcMqfNP0TaG9VqEcNYsL7B9GujV4nNICWgFPYlJjWcVctsI8bTQyXnKc2QQerzKG3qKCAwXqna9cGx4o/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EDiHohhiHizd8UGR0KfC_gMiRISqApVRT1UOPMJcRuBuoQT8Qn8FF5U8C13zbcMqfNP0TaG9VqEcNYsL7B9GujV4nNICWgFPYlJjWcVctsI8bTQyXnKc2QQerzKG3qKCAwXqna9cGx4o/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: NES<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">September, 1989</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>HAL Laboratory<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>HAL Laboratory<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Donation from my nephew!<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Astro-nomical (see what I did there?)<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>I remember renting this game from my local Diamond Video way back in the day. Clearly it left an impression on me. Of course, this means that I'm terrified to actually <em>play</em> it again. What if it's not as awesome as I remember? On the other hand, what if it is? ...oh damn.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Knight Rider</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnDYIe9OBv-_FxXhtu8LMK5PNa70we_3I9Yin7t6Bb03e6bz4F7Cjt_2KM5LtQlyT4WiLDDDpsVCxYPop8afDDxob0UX3FYTl_yocN1rcnhOR661y9KQH099wP-dAKI1_Zp6jRlcip0wX/s1600/IMG_3551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnDYIe9OBv-_FxXhtu8LMK5PNa70we_3I9Yin7t6Bb03e6bz4F7Cjt_2KM5LtQlyT4WiLDDDpsVCxYPop8afDDxob0UX3FYTl_yocN1rcnhOR661y9KQH099wP-dAKI1_Zp6jRlcip0wX/s320/IMG_3551.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: NES<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> Decem<span style="white-space: nowrap;">ber, 1989</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Pack-In-Video<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Acclaim<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Donation from my nephew!<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Good enough, Michael<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>You don't own Knight Rider on the NES because it's a good game. You own Knight Rider on the NES because Knight Rider is awesome. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Pac-Man</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXJeGPkh9Rm4Pszfx_ik4QNYHPNLmVQWDRf9uY2KOahmPeyo5KLrETo-dLsjZbJnCeVvHdb0P7KNpqAmcIe6wleclgzVOR66Azf26JUtgzRkS0DYqDvaAnAvYoolR26wJExPyrXEfph69/s1600/IMG_3552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXJeGPkh9Rm4Pszfx_ik4QNYHPNLmVQWDRf9uY2KOahmPeyo5KLrETo-dLsjZbJnCeVvHdb0P7KNpqAmcIe6wleclgzVOR66Azf26JUtgzRkS0DYqDvaAnAvYoolR26wJExPyrXEfph69/s320/IMG_3552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: NES<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> December 30, 1993<br /><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Namco<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Namco<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Goodwill<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Great! And it came with the box...which is not it great condition. But hey, it's a boxed NES game, so there's that. <br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>It's Pac-Man! Awok-awok-awok-awok-awok-awok-awok.....Awok-awok-awok-awok-awok...<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Yoshi</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ04lXKjTbJhKvT9yiv6JNYPXQIH7_EmTw8vhYbu0YECVO0pdoMPBOzPq3_Y0jF9UWV_0dJYPPKeHV9qBpP4qfyKz5IVDZ1O9wGdqysPTjtzVJqB5TQtPkUU_VGC5tm-Zfky3FWh3TRKI/s1600/IMG_3554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ04lXKjTbJhKvT9yiv6JNYPXQIH7_EmTw8vhYbu0YECVO0pdoMPBOzPq3_Y0jF9UWV_0dJYPPKeHV9qBpP4qfyKz5IVDZ1O9wGdqysPTjtzVJqB5TQtPkUU_VGC5tm-Zfky3FWh3TRKI/s320/IMG_3554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: NES<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> June, 1992<br /><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Nintendo<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Nintendo<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Goodwill<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Ask Pac-Man.<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>Honestly, I've never played Yoshi, but it was sitting next to Pac-Man, and I knew it was a relatively late release for the NES, in good condition, and came with the box. Sold!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Virtua Racing</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCj3AwFKhHGcCXqno16YwpdfM1P2ShpX5_aVu1JQLzPbItzbvMZp0PFeGEX2xZIg-c-o9lUhQesL0Juos0Gx6CwUyUl32xfEUKaNRoA5JpgwXcBg9TatVBmxR8VvWpNN2YgUn844V1hr7/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCj3AwFKhHGcCXqno16YwpdfM1P2ShpX5_aVu1JQLzPbItzbvMZp0PFeGEX2xZIg-c-o9lUhQesL0Juos0Gx6CwUyUl32xfEUKaNRoA5JpgwXcBg9TatVBmxR8VvWpNN2YgUn844V1hr7/s320/IMG_3556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: Sega Saturn<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> March 14, 1994<br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Sega AMD/Time Warner<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Sega<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>James Games & More <br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Funny thing about Saturn game cases: they seem to disintegrate around the disc in noble effort to protect it. Not unlike a decent race car. <br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>My Saturn collection is pretty sad. So while I didn't find Virtua Racing out in the wild, I was willing to pay the convenience charge to add an iconic racer to the shelf. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Fighting Vipers</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlfSTdkw499cg_93v-Uk197RH-JpLMyRGncJjfYEjjRXyMZnrJRyUiGW1lDpSvtW1n1kdUpOXensry95VVa6gycRSXhVFBV8LtiyJU1qTIloLnMORcnRYTUS_E-2YLxtCQ-nZ8XUp_YHc/s1600/IMG_3557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlfSTdkw499cg_93v-Uk197RH-JpLMyRGncJjfYEjjRXyMZnrJRyUiGW1lDpSvtW1n1kdUpOXensry95VVa6gycRSXhVFBV8LtiyJU1qTIloLnMORcnRYTUS_E-2YLxtCQ-nZ8XUp_YHc/s320/IMG_3557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: Sega Saturn<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> November 30, 1996<br /><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Sega AMD<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Sega<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>James Games & More <br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Ehhhh. The Fighting Vipers have armor, so why doesn't <em>Fighting Vipers</em>?<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>There's never anything wrong with adding a fighter to your Saturn collection--that's sorta the reason you buy one in the first place. This is especially true when the game encourages you to beat the tar out of a dude using a Gibson Flying-V.<br />
<br />
<br />
That'll do it for Part 1. Stay tuned for Part 2. I hope you like N64!Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-61198914659405405562012-03-23T00:27:00.002-04:002012-03-23T00:30:33.461-04:00Video Review: Rhythm Heaven FeverMy Rhythm Heaven Fever video review is finished and loaded onto YouTube! I had a lot of fun putting this one together, and I'm getting the feeling that I'm starting to find my niche. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PiiFapoNIjE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Learned a couple new tricks along the way, like adjusting the audio volume (notice how it gets quieter during the voiceovers?), separating audio and video (I can play sound from one piece of footage and video from another), and some fancy transitions between clips. Even learned how to do picture-in-picture, but it didn't make the final cut. <br />
<br />
I've got plenty of ideas floating around for the next one, but I think I'd really like to do a plain old "Recent Pickups" post before I worry about that.<br />
<br />
Feedback is always appreciated!Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-32374097774905996632012-03-15T22:54:00.001-04:002012-03-15T22:54:29.127-04:00Metal Slug 3 Review: Behind the ScreamsHey guys! <br />
<br />
I know, I know. It's been way too long since I've posted a proper blog entry. The reason behind that is two-fold: <br />
<br />
First of all, my light box sort of fell apart somewhere between the last "Recent Pickups" post and moving it out of the way for the most recent game room tour. Clearly it wasn't built to withstand the awesome force of a no-holds-barred SNEStravaganza. But fear not! It's salvageable, and when I get around to it, I've got a mountain of new stuff to photograph and share with you.<br />
<br />
Second, and much more interesting, I've been dedicating my daily budgeted blogging time to getting my YouTube channel up and running. If you haven't seen it yet, here's my first effort: a video review of Metal Slug 3. If you <em>have </em>seen it, watch it again. I do a little jig every time the view count goes up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/47EkV4Dorr4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the results. Of course, I wouldn't have uploaded it if I wasn't. As a bit of a perfectionist and someone who watches a <em>lot</em> of game reviews, I can count a hundred things I'd like to change, but eventually you just have to call it a day and move on, right?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaDMsCE3zh1sYoV0xgEPDjlnDmnWPDcK5dZ8KMHyJCk9wb7n8zSl9xXxOrGg3nu6h41BP4uU-CaKX7Hr3QUfRNVkrMmcB-gNWDx4k06wCQUjvqi1dhucym_6RccdX1dMzivJW-RDKnOqU/s1600/Vegas+Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaDMsCE3zh1sYoV0xgEPDjlnDmnWPDcK5dZ8KMHyJCk9wb7n8zSl9xXxOrGg3nu6h41BP4uU-CaKX7Hr3QUfRNVkrMmcB-gNWDx4k06wCQUjvqi1dhucym_6RccdX1dMzivJW-RDKnOqU/s320/Vegas+Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas Pro HD 10 in action. <br />
Only slightly less confusing than it looks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
As my first foray into video production, there was a lot of fumbling and poking at random buttons until something like I imagined in my head appeared on the screen. Heck, when I started, I wasn't even sure whether I was supposed to record the video or the voiceover first. (The correct answer was gameplay, voiceover, then edit, edit, edit.) All told, it probably took eight hours to record everything and then figure out how the hell to put it together. I'd like to think that I could cut that time in half for the next one. We'll see soon enough.</div>
<br />
After a lot of wrestling with my capture device (Hauppauge HD PVR), I'm very happy with how the video turned out. A few filters courtesy of Sony Vegas HD 10 really helped to bring out the color and smooth the footage.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3ePrEqMVX4ZCUk45Xoh6zgFtXgP7z3N48eo2vG07K4JxAQkLB6sOh33ixiR6j9r2itu3W_ZmSZImtqxyAJJy5P4Dpqw_v7C6XIcqmMCWYUuOA-AS60uExLcBbxmRPhHs9ICmqMdTqQuJ/s1600/IMG_3540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3ePrEqMVX4ZCUk45Xoh6zgFtXgP7z3N48eo2vG07K4JxAQkLB6sOh33ixiR6j9r2itu3W_ZmSZImtqxyAJJy5P4Dpqw_v7C6XIcqmMCWYUuOA-AS60uExLcBbxmRPhHs9ICmqMdTqQuJ/s320/IMG_3540.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That smooth voice you hear comes courtesy <br />
of <br />
this Samson C01U USB microphone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But more than the video, I've actually gotten quite a bit of positive feedback regarding the voiceover audio. All credit goes to having a half-way decent microphone. I used my brandy new Samson C01U USB condenser microphone to record it. To be honest, I have no idea what a condenser microphone even is, but it sounds nice. And it also smells pretty good, too, sort of like robotic strawberries. (You notice these things when you've had your face all up in it for a couple hours.) Also, I fudged together a <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Cheap-Microphone-Pop-Filter/?ALLSTEPS" target="_blank">homemade pop filter</a> to tone done my popperiffic P's.<br />
<br />
Audio recording software is free-and-easy <a href="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank">Audacity</a>--the Cakewalk Studio software that came with the mic with is way over my head. That said, I would really like to take some time and learn a few audio editing tricks. There are a few things I'd like to try in some upcoming videos and as of right now, I have no idea how to make them happen.<br />
<br />
Well that's all for now! I'd like to get a new video started (and maybe even posted) this weekend, and I have ideas rattling around in my head for several more. If you have any critiques or advice you'd like to share, please drop me a note in the comment box!Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-63526649032215627752012-02-28T23:04:00.000-05:002012-02-29T20:26:59.398-05:00Welcome to the BCVGB "Recording Studio"While it might not seem like it, I solemnly swear that my blog is still a thing. In fact, it's more of a thing now than it's ever been, which ironically, is the reason I haven't posted anything in a while. <br />
<br />
In case you haven't heard, Backward Compatible is going Hollywood, baby! Okay, not <em>Hollywood</em>, but YouTube...wood. And that's essentially the same thing. Besides, what's the point of blogging about video games without a little video?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0i4jCly591JqXZWCygagKdusodZ3VUokmW4ZdwnokBROJk_ImFigiMd3yAQ_0PJWAWmQURbtEirmmQoOC4bC5pMasipC22fTGVoLt3PjroUEVBX3taeNC7fHw8AMbb6Ky6oMSMN4mvPP/s1600/IMG_3535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0i4jCly591JqXZWCygagKdusodZ3VUokmW4ZdwnokBROJk_ImFigiMd3yAQ_0PJWAWmQURbtEirmmQoOC4bC5pMasipC22fTGVoLt3PjroUEVBX3taeNC7fHw8AMbb6Ky6oMSMN4mvPP/s320/IMG_3535.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hauppauge HD PVR working hard amid a sea of wires.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's the thing: two weeks ago, I had absolutely no idea how to <em>make</em> videos, let alone edit video, record voiceovers, and upload them to the YouTubes. Today, I'm happy to report that I'm half way there. <br />
<br />
Since I'm working with a three-year-old Dell XPS laptop, capturing gameplay onto the hard drive isn't as easy as simply plugging the PS3 into a capture card. Instead, I'm using a <a href="http://hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html" target="_blank">Hauppauge HD PVR</a>. Essentially it's the same thing as your TiVo or DVR, just without a hard drive. Instead, it works as a pass-through, streaming the data (up to 1080i resolution) from your game console simultaneously to your computer and your television. Surprisingly, it mostly works! <br />
<br />
I've had to fidget with the PVR settings quite a bit, but I'm pretty happy with the quality. Check out these raw video samples and see for yourself (disclaimer: if you follow me on Facebook, these videos will seem very, very familiar):<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Metal Slug 3 (PS2)</strong><br />
<object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" />
<param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/3084040313146" />
<embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/3084040313146" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Guilty Gear XX (PS2)</strong><br />
<object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" />
<param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/3089000157139" />
<embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/3089000157139" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>We Love Katamari (PS2)</strong><br />
<object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" />
<param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/3103912689943" />
<embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/3103912689943" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
Not bad, right? <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IJjzh4pPbZU0x1sAtu8FQSfa-R8Dz4yXtGpadjV8TJjYyH4oNuMWb5emozpS8Z8ZCjnEWzF_KfJoaA4GJgblkN13-TtFckGFoLc0LdtvFNuW9gO5DYoWyU0PLbU1rCwpW4PE9cZGXDrg/s1600/IMG_3531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IJjzh4pPbZU0x1sAtu8FQSfa-R8Dz4yXtGpadjV8TJjYyH4oNuMWb5emozpS8Z8ZCjnEWzF_KfJoaA4GJgblkN13-TtFckGFoLc0LdtvFNuW9gO5DYoWyU0PLbU1rCwpW4PE9cZGXDrg/s320/IMG_3531.JPG" uda="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And just for fun, here's my "recording studio."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />You might notice some quality issues, which is to be expected as I work out the kinks. What I can't work out is why the older consoles succeed only in freezing up the PVR. It's not too big of a deal, though, as there are some low-cost options for recording non-HD video. <a href="http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Dazzle/Dazzle+Video+Archiving/Dazzle+DVD+Recorder+Plus.htm" target="_blank">Dazzle</a>, anyone? </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span id="btAsinTitle">Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 will shoulder the editing duties (it's the software recommended by Hauppauge and is on super sale at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Vegas-Studio-Platinum-VERSION/dp/B003L51CZ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1330486207&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon</a>--how could I go wrong?), and I'm still on the fence about the microphone. More on that later.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Give me a couple more weeks and I should have something that looks like a game review put together! Any requests?</div>
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</div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-73561067184076819312012-02-17T23:21:00.000-05:002012-02-18T10:58:40.060-05:00Now where am I going to put the cat tree?The difference between collecting and hoarding? Shelf space.<br />
<br />
For the last couple of months, I had crossed over the line from video game collector to video game hoarder, and it wasn't pretty. Shelf space was at 0%, but collecting hadn't stopped. As a result, games, consoles, controllers, cables, and whatever the hell else I came across was just stacking up, spilling out across any available horizontal plane. Oh yeah, and I started taking in stray cats.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, a couple very gracious friends allowed me to piggyback onto their recent trip to Ikea, and I was able to snag some desperately needed shelving (more <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60103750/" target="_blank">LACK floating shelves</a>) and nudge the needle back into "collector" status.<br />
<br />
After cleaning up a bit and finding a home for all of my most recent finds, it only seemed appropriate that I snap a few pictures of the game room. After all, it probably won't look this good again for quite some time. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
But enough gabbin'. Enjoy the latest game room tour!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-hxTLaR3mUXcu_OJxG0a1rlSevlDlrv8OBQ43XVkfoe0mzy7GXw_sQ9QIxZVgSRdunAbHBxzR7JYFAObe4SJ5ofu4-Pve2iHJtO73ok-bOgiXOT6jrHEMiG5YJ3lC0c6p6qafUQcW0Ed/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-hxTLaR3mUXcu_OJxG0a1rlSevlDlrv8OBQ43XVkfoe0mzy7GXw_sQ9QIxZVgSRdunAbHBxzR7JYFAObe4SJ5ofu4-Pve2iHJtO73ok-bOgiXOT6jrHEMiG5YJ3lC0c6p6qafUQcW0Ed/s400/IMG_3518.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find in the photo: Pirate Raft, Lunch Box, Book (ew.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxWSaYnOB0MeTeXg3uKsb16Q7rL-PYYsDglF82hGReiFaNTBwR07pCJBti2MoKmHMiBqODySG7xTFk5TB-HBtDT5HHhCYNRj0OHn6Hch_G1j0ClljrMKPJ-bFft6ChkLPDNYG16C3HLUQ/s1600/IMG_3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxWSaYnOB0MeTeXg3uKsb16Q7rL-PYYsDglF82hGReiFaNTBwR07pCJBti2MoKmHMiBqODySG7xTFk5TB-HBtDT5HHhCYNRj0OHn6Hch_G1j0ClljrMKPJ-bFft6ChkLPDNYG16C3HLUQ/s400/IMG_3500.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Dear Nintendo, please cool it with the console variations. <br />
My shelving budget is out of control</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcDzR-RuWWUj78EKZgxN3V-iOWfL3uYDdBVrL2Ce9uxMfcWMI6FWRUW6RQtQINAf8LsBB6YVAi0ayrvNBUpHNuqozYL_AMsJfDMEojF_gPomENqepAkCfzXb2-SjzjG73qoaBjLbB3bSa/s1600/IMG_3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcDzR-RuWWUj78EKZgxN3V-iOWfL3uYDdBVrL2Ce9uxMfcWMI6FWRUW6RQtQINAf8LsBB6YVAi0ayrvNBUpHNuqozYL_AMsJfDMEojF_gPomENqepAkCfzXb2-SjzjG73qoaBjLbB3bSa/s400/IMG_3511.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I highly recommend picking up a sound bar for your flat screen. <br />
It and the subwoofer (far left of the entertainment center) make a huge difference.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0Hr76N7tLNIGvfQcu-2VA74Lg0urVheI79ACwsZ3lWolja-9bAW3hrXH9TvIvvYZAtJ_XeXVZ7IcoIbcPiBoOPakRRcRdPFSdeCxxT_zlRl_qzW5lV-gQkKQkr36Aijrp-G2cmSXkz8u/s1600/IMG_3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0Hr76N7tLNIGvfQcu-2VA74Lg0urVheI79ACwsZ3lWolja-9bAW3hrXH9TvIvvYZAtJ_XeXVZ7IcoIbcPiBoOPakRRcRdPFSdeCxxT_zlRl_qzW5lV-gQkKQkr36Aijrp-G2cmSXkz8u/s400/IMG_3514.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shelving nightmare: Neo Geo boxes. <br />
There's supposed to be a divider through the middle of this cubical</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaTfub_khYg0I75MLcwc1HjLHXc_4AMwAGH5Vr9meTJ-LP-ahzpDPug4uC5gW2ju6M32XWxsh5BtFNRhLvfDHL2ZCA1K8QGaEFE09O3lfmVQ5KhH22EBpmVLIuKgcU5otTSTIS9jDiPaO/s1600/IMG_3510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaTfub_khYg0I75MLcwc1HjLHXc_4AMwAGH5Vr9meTJ-LP-ahzpDPug4uC5gW2ju6M32XWxsh5BtFNRhLvfDHL2ZCA1K8QGaEFE09O3lfmVQ5KhH22EBpmVLIuKgcU5otTSTIS9jDiPaO/s320/IMG_3510.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HD Sony CRT. The only way to play your <br />
old school consoles. Now on special for $0.50/lb.!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hzOwiSTHJqkH68u8SshPy5-CQSO-6KBn4_1XpwNpvQjoyptd_9tj7KRTimzOTfcLo1wBZFpFndFV0FbUcouRw1j2U52LfrytetW6IlwCbYVQyD_HCyYJybuSAkW7XHS_nr5FKZZk7KFv/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hzOwiSTHJqkH68u8SshPy5-CQSO-6KBn4_1XpwNpvQjoyptd_9tj7KRTimzOTfcLo1wBZFpFndFV0FbUcouRw1j2U52LfrytetW6IlwCbYVQyD_HCyYJybuSAkW7XHS_nr5FKZZk7KFv/s320/IMG_3504.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Controller family tree. Look for a full <br />
review of this in an upcoming post</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L-MvF2jMVntLvJcJVCxdJDWcfOOUijc0-XwAfLgGivYk9bN8eCE13FRkZZUJrO1opKG0_ESD_2C2gWgBcRpOmmkatvSGVJfZHOklo7gKxwzhjDUUSZj_EsJhKV_Z8L3k5Vdt4m0Tgz2k/s1600/IMG_3506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L-MvF2jMVntLvJcJVCxdJDWcfOOUijc0-XwAfLgGivYk9bN8eCE13FRkZZUJrO1opKG0_ESD_2C2gWgBcRpOmmkatvSGVJfZHOklo7gKxwzhjDUUSZj_EsJhKV_Z8L3k5Vdt4m0Tgz2k/s400/IMG_3506.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My NES collection, a Virtual Boy with 33% of the US releases, the creepy <br />
Mario DS holder, some random GB Advance games in a black caddy, and <br />
a Pikachu top whose original I can't remember.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzcHLdTsLxMZ0hWgKv7gO6PZ3cwDd6dkcqeEfPfsS81D6UkQagi6JPDLhpDLs1PRTxJeIlo-78_slzPDqDw4mSDAExv7k2a9GmQXyR2eSwg9tL_KaMWdwew60Vl22WnJzby6w5wo0KgPj/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzcHLdTsLxMZ0hWgKv7gO6PZ3cwDd6dkcqeEfPfsS81D6UkQagi6JPDLhpDLs1PRTxJeIlo-78_slzPDqDw4mSDAExv7k2a9GmQXyR2eSwg9tL_KaMWdwew60Vl22WnJzby6w5wo0KgPj/s400/IMG_3508.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Games I'm no longer any good at. I've gotten soft.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ApXFSw11zZjANOfr-lDxXF5mW8ov14EP1Xtyxovo_wCEuNLSwTjn3fdAJcjKy3feqWho4X3jwFUbBUmzjl3JKYPzLoHlnqITW-yUqsgScEZCSElC2-p7abCLlig3x6jKDcdcu3BUTeuw/s1600/IMG_3505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ApXFSw11zZjANOfr-lDxXF5mW8ov14EP1Xtyxovo_wCEuNLSwTjn3fdAJcjKy3feqWho4X3jwFUbBUmzjl3JKYPzLoHlnqITW-yUqsgScEZCSElC2-p7abCLlig3x6jKDcdcu3BUTeuw/s400/IMG_3505.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've logged a lot of ass time on that couch. Thankfully, It's not comfortable enough <br />
to encourage long visits. Also, enjoy the professionally photographed <br />
NES pictures--they're of the same console sitting on the shelf!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguU7cjpU_cGwtdRxa2XlESD2zRmg7_L2a61PwGc0iIUC10jhohaBpcqu_ZwpFe3Q1OH_qJ6tcOmHX_RzzyFQMiN1QDFVoRI2kMeHwkZABRQDVSjxxYMpjA7psjX0HLuQLlp1pH6lQmK5kh/s1600/IMG_3524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguU7cjpU_cGwtdRxa2XlESD2zRmg7_L2a61PwGc0iIUC10jhohaBpcqu_ZwpFe3Q1OH_qJ6tcOmHX_RzzyFQMiN1QDFVoRI2kMeHwkZABRQDVSjxxYMpjA7psjX0HLuQLlp1pH6lQmK5kh/s320/IMG_3524.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom "Solid Smokes" canvas my wife had made for me. <br />
Huh? Whose cigarettes are these?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPvteJJPoisNLK5ZEbMpRdR7cJlPZOpE1w8jGd2cwugXiLkz_eyEcTDZPWjpV48KvZf-K8Pu7u27djPYHswZ2XNF4gj91kzjPAU_vCTjcatZKKA8PuvkAhMWaqcVZbfjUVIkStDKk35v8/s1600/IMG_3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPvteJJPoisNLK5ZEbMpRdR7cJlPZOpE1w8jGd2cwugXiLkz_eyEcTDZPWjpV48KvZf-K8Pu7u27djPYHswZ2XNF4gj91kzjPAU_vCTjcatZKKA8PuvkAhMWaqcVZbfjUVIkStDKk35v8/s400/IMG_3499.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More consoles--on display courtesy of fresh shelving.</td></tr>
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I hope you enjoyed the updated room tour! </div>
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As you can see, I'm still just one good Craigslist score away from reverting back into full-on crazy cat lady mode. Which is really unfortunate, because I have some unhealthy MAME cabinet desires bubbling up and no desire to <img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvGA0P5v_cQP6jCMrd4u0d_sxXwHmibcwjyhGKsAqZuR3GhWBIQv6XVQ4lrY11bW-6XEgs_D1PRlHq-eIX3GaosyDCw5nfuPllUoAzjBZrSTtNuLH_Y8pWSVzy8M6ZPPrb_lzPShmdTXQ/s320/IMG_3522.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 145px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2360px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> slow down on the game and console collecting. </div>
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Where's the Fancy Feast?</div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-91989889447672285532012-02-15T22:59:00.000-05:002012-02-15T22:59:30.128-05:00Fireball Island > SkyrimSo there I was, ready to delve back into the world of Skyrim following a two-week hiatus on account of game-crushing bugginess, ready to download the latest patch and get back to crafting the finest set of dragon scale armor on Nirn. (By the way, update 1.4 is live, Skyrimmers.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj040MQo7JYge4pCQ2zLlpIyVf6LZCmBn_NlbVd1e31nyoKGrGd8_zpg-Z85f5IN6BuQoKvZpnyVCkPcJWtCIGwfG-MFa4PEA6xHB8TiO9vRV9Ub9uwQh4YzCdzxEDMsjMaBp-o8aZAG8sE/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj040MQo7JYge4pCQ2zLlpIyVf6LZCmBn_NlbVd1e31nyoKGrGd8_zpg-Z85f5IN6BuQoKvZpnyVCkPcJWtCIGwfG-MFa4PEA6xHB8TiO9vRV9Ub9uwQh4YzCdzxEDMsjMaBp-o8aZAG8sE/s320/IMG_3482.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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Game updates are nothing new. This generation has been absolutely plagued with patch releases, fixing errors that would have never made it past QA ten years ago. And before that, glitches like the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgohnDkyTZM" target="_blank">Super Mario Brothers minus world</a> were just plain awesome.<br />
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What's <em>not</em> awesome? Bi-weekly Playstation Network updates, that's what. Especially when I have to download one <em>on top of </em>a patch. Now I'm an easy two hours away from fulfilling my Skyrim destiny. <br />
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So where does a boy go when his video games have been taken away? He goes to FIREBALL ISLAND!<br />
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Please allow me to get you appropriately pumped up. I'm talking CAPS LOCK pumped up:<br />
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Fireball Island, <em>the dimensional adventure game of pitfalls and perils</em>, came bowling mercilessly into living rooms in 1986, leaving nothing but flaming wreckage and domestic violence in its wake. I'm not surprised if you haven't heard of it; Fireball Island leaves few survivors. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vul-Kar guarding his cursed treasure.</td></tr>
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This ain't no Chutes and Ladders, kiddies. In Fireball Island, you ascend a perilous mountain full of winding paths and hidden dangers in a quest for a priceless jewel. Meanwhile, the horrific idol Vul-Kar hurls deadly fireballs your way in an attempt to guard his treasure. Once the jewel is in your grasp, it's an all-out race back down the mountain, avoiding Vul-Kar's wrath while preventing your fellow adventurers from stealing it away. The first to the boat with the jewel wins! The rest are eaten by the savage island natives.<br />
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The pitfalls and perils unfold on a very impressive, very innovative three-dimensional game board complete with deep forests, creepy swamps, dark caves, rushing rivers and waterfalls, a giant snake that looks like a peanut, and the greatest topper in board game history: Vul-Kar. Go fuck yourself, pop-a-matic bubble.<br />
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The adventure begins at Dead Man's Plateau (an ominous start)--roll the die and head up Witchlord Trail, over Witchlord Step, down Thunder Alley and Skeleton Head Beach; then you climb Blister Run, grab the jewel, make your way over the treacherous rope bridges, through Viper Pass, down Dock Run, onto the boat to safety!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This way to unimaginable wealth, dog meat!</td></tr>
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But if you roll a 1 or lay down a fireball card, kiss your ass goodbye, because it's time for Fireball Island to live up to its name. Push a fireball from any of four locations on the map or straight out of Vul-Kar's hideous, gaping maw. If you're awesome like me, you'll yell "FIREBALLLLLL!" as it barrels over your former friends. And if your piece is hit--even <em>nudged</em>--you'll spend your next turn face down in the nearest slag pit, picking tar and the bones innocent out of any number of orifices.<br />
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On top balls of liquid-hot magma rolling your way, every roll is followed by fast and furious card play. In fact, I think this is the only game I've ever seen where you can play as many cards as you want, whenever you want. Move players forward and back, steal their cards, give them a fake jewel, roll and stop fireballs: it's all ridiculously confusing, infuriating, and hilariously fun if you're playing with friends you don't mind repeatedly calling "bitch," "asshole," "cock sucker," etc. Swearing and fisticuffs are actually highly encouraged. It's right here in the manual.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FIREBALL! The playing cards are decked with fantastic,<br />
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Being that the game is legally old enough to rent a car, it can be a bit hard to track down in the wild, especially with all of the the various pieces intact. I'd recommend keeping your eyes peeled at your local thrift stores and garage sales. And if all else fails, there's always <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1311&_nkw=fireball+island&_sacat=See-All-Categories" target="_blank">ebay</a>. </div>
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One way or another, I highly recommend tracking down a set and giving it a try. Or, if you'd rather, come on over to my place and we'll take a trip to FIREBALL ISLAND, asshole.<br />
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Slides from my last vacation on Fireball Island:<br />
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<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2F11225298%40N05%2Fsets%2F72157629338551745%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2F11225298%40N05%2Fsets%2F72157629338551745%2F&set_id=72157629338551745&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-20513054784917276182012-02-08T23:12:00.000-05:002012-02-08T23:12:03.972-05:00Hey Mario, hold this.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf_rhQNbOKjwWvVB-J-SkDR89xfaIZbFTPib7bQrDAPz4dKfeCnAuHzfuJzAKAibsHK0yHSXRXP6RNKqYnp9SusX1nar5bUW0ik1X-KFarZ7syJpougbnoPpMzm028Cl6o3xNT1FvjN39/s1600/IMG_3417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf_rhQNbOKjwWvVB-J-SkDR89xfaIZbFTPib7bQrDAPz4dKfeCnAuHzfuJzAKAibsHK0yHSXRXP6RNKqYnp9SusX1nar5bUW0ik1X-KFarZ7syJpougbnoPpMzm028Cl6o3xNT1FvjN39/s320/IMG_3417.JPG" width="240" /></a>I hate going to the mall with my wife. </div>
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Okay, I don't <em>hate </em>it--after all, the company's good and she's great at helping me dress like a fancy boy--but I always, <em>always </em>get stuck holding her purse. </div>
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I suppose I should be flattered that she trusts me with all of her worldly possessions, but I never know what to do with the damn thing. Do I hold it way out in front of me like some sort of dead animal? Should I tuck it under my arm and strike the Heisman pose? Hell if I know.</div>
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But you know who never has an issue holding <em>my </em>shit? Mario.</div>
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A little while back I was given this most excellent DS holder, shaped like everyone's favorite mushroom-popping plumber. Mario stands about 12" tall, is made of sturdy plastic, and--I can't stress this enough--is <em>expertly</em> painted. But as nice as he looks on his own, his primary purpose is to hold your DS, DS lite, DSi, or 3DS. Sorry DSi XL--you're just too big. </div>
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Here's Mario holding a DS lite:<br />
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Sadly, Mario doesn't have any working joints, so the scope of his usefulness is somewhat limited. Without something in his hands, he's just standing around with his arms outstretched and his palms up, like he's weighing options or waiting to be handcuffed. However, just because this figure is a single-tasker doesn't mean he's a one trick Yoshi.<br />
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For example, here's Mario holding a DSi:<br />
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And Mario doesn't care if it's tiny. Here he is making a Gameboy Micro look <strong>huge</strong>:<br />
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Past your prime? Mario don't care. Here he is rocking a Gameboy color:</div>
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Have stock in Energizer? Mario will gladly pimp a Game Gear:<br />
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Connoisseur? Mario's got you covered:<br />
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Mario palms Link:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOBRqRvTYIVxzZK190V1XwbdouEkVrkBk3E-OB7zgEJYcqHqK9_FLoPtkF1lepZkKWuTpWHTtPiwD6uivnioeIYKoG3Ee23G7JdVsumUIkEV0T65Zn8Xcsz3JYyPcb0rnS75q7CzyS1OU/s1600/IMG_3432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOBRqRvTYIVxzZK190V1XwbdouEkVrkBk3E-OB7zgEJYcqHqK9_FLoPtkF1lepZkKWuTpWHTtPiwD6uivnioeIYKoG3Ee23G7JdVsumUIkEV0T65Zn8Xcsz3JYyPcb0rnS75q7CzyS1OU/s320/IMG_3432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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K.C. Munchkin under control:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOsONmVbTGMHbdcQXymF-HMj1NWfHt9VYlEOQ8j6nSV3FVWX4L7wQiGAxA6-j0xYO5yugiVZhUuKzqS0vOi3uCU-s-vlaVG8fL6ymOsyCF3ciGz9WgekAuhj93vJuERC_LoeJKT7vccwS/s1600/IMG_3434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOsONmVbTGMHbdcQXymF-HMj1NWfHt9VYlEOQ8j6nSV3FVWX4L7wQiGAxA6-j0xYO5yugiVZhUuKzqS0vOi3uCU-s-vlaVG8fL6ymOsyCF3ciGz9WgekAuhj93vJuERC_LoeJKT7vccwS/s320/IMG_3434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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24-bits of holding power:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1l5oH1kbVSkbRRKFOF68T8FccqOv2LB3vsYaj14zWg8cXDPzqxqJqO69THbYPpIWYpBUDwZKBBZmdZ4mrzB6sL-pcfkXuQJwwNfz6kN5vkpUNYSZLwLcb4QiYgQu0pbiaYTE-0i9TH-u/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1l5oH1kbVSkbRRKFOF68T8FccqOv2LB3vsYaj14zWg8cXDPzqxqJqO69THbYPpIWYpBUDwZKBBZmdZ4mrzB6sL-pcfkXuQJwwNfz6kN5vkpUNYSZLwLcb4QiYgQu0pbiaYTE-0i9TH-u/s320/IMG_3433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh Jesus. Now Mario's just holding himself like a gangster:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j4dVDh5HuyMguxm9WzBV8lOGTnvdl4Fzw2wMxNjtSraYvwZt3ft-iQdYq6FXsPL6a8z1s8g_xVdzJrF8xcbb2_SCv1Fs43yahnFU2HEZCWibXeY2wwyPx7brmnLaKNmyvscfG9ikGumY/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j4dVDh5HuyMguxm9WzBV8lOGTnvdl4Fzw2wMxNjtSraYvwZt3ft-iQdYq6FXsPL6a8z1s8g_xVdzJrF8xcbb2_SCv1Fs43yahnFU2HEZCWibXeY2wwyPx7brmnLaKNmyvscfG9ikGumY/s320/IMG_3435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mario! Where the hell did you get that?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK69OuVylcWn9S9TBCk2tg6beEDknXxaAazmQa9zD20xUglEUAFlHS6UQRhSGd61xRmGEemK8d4pQ_HWC-OiXgBEPK55g72N35iiNt6faN0-PNlEu2KZHGTVfuMCCY30y_hwSKwu7s56E/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK69OuVylcWn9S9TBCk2tg6beEDknXxaAazmQa9zD20xUglEUAFlHS6UQRhSGd61xRmGEemK8d4pQ_HWC-OiXgBEPK55g72N35iiNt6faN0-PNlEu2KZHGTVfuMCCY30y_hwSKwu7s56E/s320/IMG_3436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-14500569068242183802012-02-06T23:59:00.000-05:002012-02-06T23:59:09.859-05:00Recent Pickups Episode 5: SNEStravaganza!Believe it or not, this haul had everything to do with an AC adapter. A whole box of 16-bit gaming goodness and what pushed me over the edge was the lowly plug. (Hey, I needed one for a set I was putting together for my brother.) The rest? That's my finder's fee!<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Super Nintendo (SNS-101)</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN4KQffKuxHALzVMP2Tsu_XdmA_47XvBmnTJ3zew5xgJwcrunEQofRM2zGamAVi3_YnR7g9ILbHunSs6udB6AgPJ636cj3kl4MWJbtXik59NBnsaxdM7vB78z0ELCRfQW1N3gDZSC43w4/s1600/IMG_3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN4KQffKuxHALzVMP2Tsu_XdmA_47XvBmnTJ3zew5xgJwcrunEQofRM2zGamAVi3_YnR7g9ILbHunSs6udB6AgPJ636cj3kl4MWJbtXik59NBnsaxdM7vB78z0ELCRfQW1N3gDZSC43w4/s320/IMG_3404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">October 20, 1997 <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System_(Redesigned_Model_SNS-101)#cite_note-0"></a></sup></span><br />
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<strong>Acquired From:</strong> Craigslist guy with a cardboard box<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> A little scratchy, not not bad.<br />
<strong>Notes: </strong>I've wanted one of these things for quite some time, for no reason in particular. Technically, this is <em>not</em> the SNES you want to own, due to the lack of S-video support. But it's just so darn...cute! You won't see too many SNES minis out in the wild, since they weren't terribly popular (they were released well after everyone else had moved onto the N64, Playstation, and Saturn), so pick one up if you find it for cheap!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhRmXfRy2uxgv7_5z_3icWabBDoHDyQMVXpryFwXxPuim5_e-tlp27K8w9CsmkLMrCG5_7x1KBAY1nX6b1JOb1P7NU3uqab2V371Dd1zKDhN0Fs8jk9eYfvzBPzDOivRbMNSp1obOqXXP/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhRmXfRy2uxgv7_5z_3icWabBDoHDyQMVXpryFwXxPuim5_e-tlp27K8w9CsmkLMrCG5_7x1KBAY1nX6b1JOb1P7NU3uqab2V371Dd1zKDhN0Fs8jk9eYfvzBPzDOivRbMNSp1obOqXXP/s320/IMG_3407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: Super Nintendo<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">November 21, 1995</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Rare<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Nintendo<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Craigslist guy with a cardboard box<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Good enough<br />
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<strong>Notes: </strong>Sequel to the game that proved the SNES was still relevant in the 32-bit era. Remember when Rare made great games? On the other hand, a Donkey Kong game without Donkey Kong sort of feels like the Snake/Raiden switcheroo, and that makes me sad.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Clayfighter: Tournament Edition</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhzq7r6qxX0Q2Rt6D65youNykHspa6_sAg5MpCkiAmIvlrwn7dvBbg92_qkDkCMSXz96YJ3Jfbfd3djUZ1rtuSXxnodLtPIavqpdGC0CB2ibBtTrZ4-Yu4qe8iKHtHOFgTvpf54OqCIYE/s1600/IMG_3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhzq7r6qxX0Q2Rt6D65youNykHspa6_sAg5MpCkiAmIvlrwn7dvBbg92_qkDkCMSXz96YJ3Jfbfd3djUZ1rtuSXxnodLtPIavqpdGC0CB2ibBtTrZ4-Yu4qe8iKHtHOFgTvpf54OqCIYE/s320/IMG_3408.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>Console</strong>: Super Nintendo</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">November 22, 1994</span><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Visual Concepts</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Interplay</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Craigslist guy with a cardboard box</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> Gray plastic, shiny label. Yup, it's all there.</div>
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<strong>Notes: </strong>Clayfighter is not a good game. Why anyone would want to hold a Clayfighter tournament is beyond me. Despite all of this, I'm glad I own it...because I actually won a Clayfighter tournament sanctioned by Blockbuster Video. I had my displayed in the store, so all could bask in my clay fighting superiority. God, I'm awesome.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Killer Instinct</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn5I1doU6AWbAIfmBnq_NysvYSP-nqHu0CxkS6urrlortvXfuLKJKTQDnoG8-PPvErdnxxq3zPyj99JisXAMaPtBANH8yvRoyXDCG6PN4xmat1mdECNqu4cC1ToHfbd87B8vGqDuycoTx/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn5I1doU6AWbAIfmBnq_NysvYSP-nqHu0CxkS6urrlortvXfuLKJKTQDnoG8-PPvErdnxxq3zPyj99JisXAMaPtBANH8yvRoyXDCG6PN4xmat1mdECNqu4cC1ToHfbd87B8vGqDuycoTx/s320/IMG_3410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Console</strong>: Super Nintendo</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">August 30,1995</span><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Rare</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Nintendo</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Craigslist guy with a cardboard box</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> That sticker. That God damn sticker.</div>
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<strong>Notes: </strong>Remember how bad Clayfighter is? That's how awesome Killer Instinct is. Hands down, one of my favorite games of the era. Somehow, Rare had managed to squish the mind-blowing Ultra 64 game (heh) down to SNES size and keep all of the combos, characters, and pointy CGI boobies intact. ULTRA COMBOOOOOOOOOOOO!</div>
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<strong>Side Note: </strong>I tried <em>everything</em> to get that awful pricing sticker off the game label, but over time the glue has fused the two together, making it impossible to remove one without the other. Those butchers.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Super Mario Kart</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjokBZfMQvNCbFgTIrYUCXVDuqKvSE7sshpGZrAMajJyXlqF3EDv-CE19ed7SM6lJLdGYoQZWVN5KLAmLBlgb-Wj2vil2t1iIiigCdBEAVwpgHm0TxZSFRPwJ-T6c-jGDIVbdFRdBOfkQ/s1600/IMG_3411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjokBZfMQvNCbFgTIrYUCXVDuqKvSE7sshpGZrAMajJyXlqF3EDv-CE19ed7SM6lJLdGYoQZWVN5KLAmLBlgb-Wj2vil2t1iIiigCdBEAVwpgHm0TxZSFRPwJ-T6c-jGDIVbdFRdBOfkQ/s320/IMG_3411.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>Console</strong>: Super Nintendo</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">September 1, 1992</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Nintendo, yo</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Nintendo</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Craigslist guy with a cardboard box</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> Mama mia! That's a nice!</div>
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<strong>Notes: </strong>If I had a dollar for every copy of Super Mario Kart I've owned, I'd have $4. Luckily for me, a copy of Super Mario cart sells for a lot more than a dollar. This one's in great condition and even came with the snazzy dust cover. What this all boils down to is that I have another copy of Mario Kart for sale. Want it?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Alien 3</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboNp55IgcpALvbaMYagXo6y25CR3sNvD9xZStu14ZvuQd_vzZz02gV5DOeisgsFKvxwgsy-mI53q5oBHwAd7ilYvL_vcrOAfoPULnSjtluQbqKF5v77rpg4VAhzkBsCjG9Qbu9ngPe-B3/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboNp55IgcpALvbaMYagXo6y25CR3sNvD9xZStu14ZvuQd_vzZz02gV5DOeisgsFKvxwgsy-mI53q5oBHwAd7ilYvL_vcrOAfoPULnSjtluQbqKF5v77rpg4VAhzkBsCjG9Qbu9ngPe-B3/s320/IMG_3413.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>Console</strong>: Super Nintendo</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">May, 1 1993</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Probe Entertainment (heh, "Probe")</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>LJN</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Craigslist guy with a cardboard box</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> It looks just like I feel.</div>
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<strong>Notes: </strong>Alien 3 is far from perfect, but that's to be expected when you consider the source material. What I find interesting, though, is that with the overwhelming odds, dark setting, tight corridors, and regular lack of ammo, Alien 3 plays sort of like an early survival horror game, well before we had a catchy name for those types of games.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Doom</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADYMRKkxTMq-DAaolKR5KqgbveOIOOFU0J7xrIN5FAdsmYYuWWOV91t_h9oo5QlgzbUBdnPoiyvri9oggdnNuuNNIabJIieRhjt9vYFia7VSzUr_pMOnoDGS5LjrDQzevHqTunOzcsbA2/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADYMRKkxTMq-DAaolKR5KqgbveOIOOFU0J7xrIN5FAdsmYYuWWOV91t_h9oo5QlgzbUBdnPoiyvri9oggdnNuuNNIabJIieRhjt9vYFia7VSzUr_pMOnoDGS5LjrDQzevHqTunOzcsbA2/s320/IMG_3412.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Console</strong>: Super Nintendo</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">September 1, 1995</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Developer:</strong> Williams Entertainment</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Publisher:</strong> Williams Entertainment</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Acquired From:</strong> Craigslist guy with a cardboard box</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Condition:</strong> Super clean, with box and manual!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Notes:</strong> Hell yes, the Super Nintendo had a Doom port. And you know what? It ain't bad! Thanks to the black voodoo magic and virgin blood instilled deep inside every Super FX 2 chip, it looked, sounded, and played better than the technologically superior 32X and Jaguar ports. More importantly, it came in that bad ass red cartridge. Just look at it.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Super Metroid</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">April 18, 1994</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Nintendo</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Nintendo</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Goodwill</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> Super!</div>
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<strong>Notes: </strong>Here's the thing about Super Metroid: it's awesome. If I could only have five Super Nintendo games, Super Metroid would make the cut. (Sorry, Clayfighter, you were <em>this</em> close.) I could go on and on about the graphics and gameplay, but you're better off just finding a copy (either on the SNES or Wii virtual console) and playing it for yourself. You'll see. It's friggin' Super Metroid.</div>
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</div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-26646337491296590462012-02-05T11:27:00.001-05:002012-02-05T11:27:11.199-05:00All I Do is Lose, Lose, Lose.Lately I've been all hot and heavy with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. With its combination flashy graphics, compelling gameplay, and sheer volume of things to do, it's easy to get completely lost in the game. However, I'm certain that over time, it'll lose its luster and I'll move on to the next big thing.<br />
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However, there's another game in my life that seems to hold a permanent spot in the rotation. I've been playing it for years with no intention of stopping. No, it's not World of Warcraft or some other soul-sucking MMO. It's Mario Kart DS. <br />
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Five days a week for the past <strong>three years</strong> my coworkers and I have dedicated the last 20 minutes or so of each lunch break to our highly contested, ongoing Mario Kart DS super series. This points race has been going on for so long that two new Mario Kart games have been released since we started. When we started racing, Sarah Palin hadn't yet seen Russia from her house. When we started racing, Beyonce hadn't yet put a ring on it. You get the picture.<br />
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Just for kicks, I checked my win/loss record and was a little disappoint at what I saw. It turns out that the game can't count up to 10,000. (What an absurd thing to complain about.) As such, it's only counting losses. Maybe I should go on an ice-cold losing streak just to max out my stats?<br />
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<br />Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-346658045488530532012-01-31T23:21:00.000-05:002012-01-31T23:21:57.956-05:00Found on the Internets: I Got 15 Problems<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://technologizer.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/gamemistakes1.png?w=244&h=299" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="http://technologizer.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/gamemistakes1.png?w=244&h=299" /></a>I've always said that living in the deep ghetto during my college years has given me a great appreciation for how far I've come. The same can be said for some of the "questionable" design decisions made in the early days of game consoles. It really makes niceties like ergonomic controllers and...color easy to appreciate. </div>
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This article from tech blog Technologizer chronicles 15 such missteps across console history. Some, such as monochrome displays, can be chalked up to cost cutting or technological limitations, but others are just old fashioned, home grown bad design.</div>
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Check out the full story here:</div>
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<a href="http://technologizer.com/2009/08/10/fifteen-classic-game-console-design-mistakes/" target="_blank">Fifteen Classic Game Console Design Mistakes</a></div>
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<br />Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-8594852109654013912012-01-29T22:26:00.000-05:002012-01-29T22:26:19.457-05:00Console Cleanup: Crack House Gamecube Rescue!There's always room at the Backward Compatible home for wayward game consoles. <br />
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This week, I cleared out a spot in the intensive care ward for a rough-around-the-edges Gamecube. The poor little silver lunchbox was picked up as part of a nicely priced bundle I scored from a meth head camped out in the deepest part of the Akron ghetto (clearly, Craigslist knows no boundaries). In his defense, he was nice enough and claimed to repair computers for a living, but his lack of teeth and excess of hair suggested otherwise.<br />
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Once I got the little guy home, it was apparent he'd lived a troubled existence; covered in scuffs and scratches, not to mention smelling like the spent diaper of a pack-a-day chimpanzee.<br />
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Today I'll show you how to take care of some of the physical scarring--as far as the mental scarring...and the smell...your guess is as good as mine.<br />
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Here's our brave little patient. Note the scuffs and scratches:<br />
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For abrasions, no amount of Windex Multi-Surface is going to help (although it did go a long way in cutting the "cigarette butt fished out of a urinal" scent). You're going to need something more persuasive, like this:</div>
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Being a huge pack rat, I had a bottle of Meguiars PlastX plastic polish in the garage from a headlight cleanup job I did a few years ago. Like any other polish, it's a mild abrasive that--with any luck--will smooth out the scratches on the surface of the Gamecube. </div>
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The trick is to use just a dab, and polish with just enough pressure to get the job done. Pro tip: too much elbow grease and you'll end up polishing the shiny silver finish right off of the console. Ask me how I know.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxCZ1K0SI9qmpuXoKfUeO4IrAmoFdq2vIlh6Wn7tsR46HsmXRkrkpoHFIHWasoPuPoBVC2aEN5CCqF0KEWv1jy9UBL1AzhA8bcu9B_4tnt364yQOU7q9xicM8tDEtKq724esfa6CsiVeT/s1600/IMG_3395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxCZ1K0SI9qmpuXoKfUeO4IrAmoFdq2vIlh6Wn7tsR46HsmXRkrkpoHFIHWasoPuPoBVC2aEN5CCqF0KEWv1jy9UBL1AzhA8bcu9B_4tnt364yQOU7q9xicM8tDEtKq724esfa6CsiVeT/s320/IMG_3395.JPG" width="240" /></a>Done correctly, you'll easily wipe away any light scratches on the system. See? Deep gouges, however, are there to stay.</div>
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The cleanup was so successful that, while I originally planned on reselling the Gamecube, I think I'll hold onto it for now. As for the rest of the haul, it's in the game room airing out. Keep an eye out for the games in an upcoming Recent Pickups post. </div>
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As a welcome home gift, I believe this little guy needs a Gameboy player and a Wavebird. </div>
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In the meantime, does anyone have any good remedies for stinky plastic? Maybe Oxy Clean? Dog shampoo? I'm willing to try just about anything. </div>
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Just for the fun of it, here's one last picture of my pair of lunch boxes frolicking carelessly through the gameroom. </div>
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<br /></div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-74126641857539691892012-01-26T21:19:00.000-05:002012-01-26T21:19:58.523-05:00Recent Pickups Episode 4: PS3 Games with Colons<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Aaaaaand we're back! Heck of a Christmas haul this year and reporting on it about a month too late. Sorry. Blame Skyrim.</div>
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I have a bunch of Recent Pickup posts planned for the upcoming week or so, but way too many games for a single post, so here's the current-gen picks from the 50ish new additions to the collection. Enjoy! </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLqyXdQH_S6CDnqx4a64sP7ia2SlUYrBSQ8kTRMyjJtIvlu5QyqTDYIpZpwzpR5QO6j7WGLaTWfEjzI6Cv9NNMbNgbVmZsB6byl2UfrG9PTRkFpa538J48pzZqgkiBIAKwPlxuSyJAg8A/s1600/IMG_3375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLqyXdQH_S6CDnqx4a64sP7ia2SlUYrBSQ8kTRMyjJtIvlu5QyqTDYIpZpwzpR5QO6j7WGLaTWfEjzI6Cv9NNMbNgbVmZsB6byl2UfrG9PTRkFpa538J48pzZqgkiBIAKwPlxuSyJAg8A/s320/IMG_3375.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>Console</strong>: PS3</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">November 1, 2011<br /><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe" title="Europe"></a></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Naughty Dog</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Sony Computer Entertainment</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Merry Christmas to me!</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> Still in plastic</div>
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<strong>Notes:</strong> The third installment to what could be my favorite series of this generation. Looking forward to digging into this one, but I'll be sad when it's over. Like Harry Potter.</div>
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...Shut up.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Transformers: War for Cybertron</span></strong></div>
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<strong>Console</strong>: PS3<br />
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">June 22, 2010</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>High Moon Studios</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Activision</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Target clearance rack. $11, son!</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> Still in plastic</div>
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<strong>Notes:</strong> Did you know that just about every Target store has an endcap full of games they're trying to unload? Can't wait to try what could be the only decent Transformers game ever made (how is that possible?). And hey, for $11, it's almost impossible <em>not</em> to be worth the money.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpAyF1RBimVievmcVr1welPzpMPeRMf_1Q-0W9zHeVKfr4qV3qD6x9ydxiHPj3xyiEPo6rzWWQzXLIzKq-SaJdlCuXwv5bo2q9gQ9mAyTnEu1Co96zAm6IXavq8cxMYtqsk7_3gp6qlPD/s1600/IMG_3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpAyF1RBimVievmcVr1welPzpMPeRMf_1Q-0W9zHeVKfr4qV3qD6x9ydxiHPj3xyiEPo6rzWWQzXLIzKq-SaJdlCuXwv5bo2q9gQ9mAyTnEu1Co96zAm6IXavq8cxMYtqsk7_3gp6qlPD/s320/IMG_3377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: PS3<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">February 10, 2009</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Backbone Entertainment<br />
<strong>Publisher: </strong>Sega<br />
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Merry Christmas to me!<br />
<strong>Condition:</strong> Still in plastic<br />
<strong>Notes:</strong> Confession: I have an embarrassingly small Genesis collection. 8 games. That's it. If I add the <strong>48 games</strong> in this collection, well, now we're getting somewhere! Any fan of classic games needs this in their collection--classic gaming goodness on your fancy new HDTV!<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Batman: Arkham Asylum</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbuY1-Vs6yxz3pwyfFqQXQFP7Cg0TebbK2TE0ZanbDOAHOKOQeT0gAyP_2Lyw2g4vqaQPM_z3664wSNW5Stu_jQDb83wwA0lz-idnTHp1VK5QVOtSyBCAbgRdE9Q3z4zWKSyT2aIBlFkc/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbuY1-Vs6yxz3pwyfFqQXQFP7Cg0TebbK2TE0ZanbDOAHOKOQeT0gAyP_2Lyw2g4vqaQPM_z3664wSNW5Stu_jQDb83wwA0lz-idnTHp1VK5QVOtSyBCAbgRdE9Q3z4zWKSyT2aIBlFkc/s320/IMG_3378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Console</strong>: PS3<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">August 25, 2009</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Rocksteady Studios<br />
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Eidos Interactive</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Merry Christmas to me!</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> Still in plastic</div>
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<strong>Notes:</strong> I can't believe it took two years and a generous sister-in-law to acquire this game. All of the positive press surrounding the latest installment (Arkham City), puts this high on the priority list.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">3D Dot Game Heroes</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIahxYmSXLVHeIyB1lEojKReFv66F9NJaNg9eFzs41ThtZKpUAbIN5Ol_a3wzb8tSCxrD5WQd2NePPANrZvAG71whe-eX1Faxy2aac6_l4KXjOfFjjNrTBiMlp7Q4OSgzzNfr-wx_kjWP/s1600/IMG_3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIahxYmSXLVHeIyB1lEojKReFv66F9NJaNg9eFzs41ThtZKpUAbIN5Ol_a3wzb8tSCxrD5WQd2NePPANrZvAG71whe-eX1Faxy2aac6_l4KXjOfFjjNrTBiMlp7Q4OSgzzNfr-wx_kjWP/s320/IMG_3380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Console</strong>: PS3</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">May 11, 2010</span></div>
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<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Silicon Studio</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Atlus</div>
<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Merry Christmas to me!<br />
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<strong>Condition:</strong> New. Gutted. Damn you, for opening my Christmas gifts, Gamestop!</div>
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<strong>Notes:</strong> An awesome spoof on my childhood. The best part, though, is my <em>parents</em> bought me this game for Christmas. My parents. Clearly, I don't give them enough credit.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd0dskhHY6iProElUEqg3q4-D6D2tlBZUXlMigj5ytsNKjxol8ER_UiD3zitq6al85RPe4_65ZOW5lvZzIAV-OKL8LyOq5Y6gXcj20AEl9Vc-bz7RTpTqBBa3JLp2WeZAMamXmcFIRRYO/s1600/IMG_3379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd0dskhHY6iProElUEqg3q4-D6D2tlBZUXlMigj5ytsNKjxol8ER_UiD3zitq6al85RPe4_65ZOW5lvZzIAV-OKL8LyOq5Y6gXcj20AEl9Vc-bz7RTpTqBBa3JLp2WeZAMamXmcFIRRYO/s320/IMG_3379.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>Console</strong>: PS3</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> <span style="white-space: nowrap;">November 11, 2011<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-press1_1-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyrim#cite_note-press1-1"><span></span></a></sup></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><small><sup></sup></small></span></span><strong>Developer: </strong>Bethesda</div>
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<strong>Publisher: </strong>Bethesda</div>
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<strong>Acquired From: </strong>Merry Christmas to me!</div>
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<strong>Condition:</strong> New, then thoroughly worked over. </div>
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<strong>Notes:</strong> And here is the reason why none of these other games will ever be played. I had high expectations for Skyrim, and they were completely blown away. I could go on and on, but it's safe to say that this is--in my opinion--one of the best games I've played in a long time, possibly ever.</div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-62759398715898219862011-12-19T20:55:00.000-05:002011-12-19T20:55:09.999-05:00Merry NES-mas!Two of my favorite members from the YouTube gaming community, Johnny Millenium and Rob Man of the Happy Console Gamer show, just posted their annual Christmas episode, upholding their yearly tradition of exchanging cool and unusual game-related gifts. <br />
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It seems that every year they manage to up the ante, and this edition doesn't disappoint. Check it out!<br />
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Robert Man's reaction is absolutely priceless. And to Johnny's credit, he couldn't have picked a better gift for Canada's #1 fan of the Blue Bomber. No spoilers if you haven't watched the video yet, but I'd be too nervous to actually <em>play with</em> what's in that box. That thing would go straight on the shelf. Under UV-resistant glass.<br />
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This scenario reminded me of a particularly memorable gaming Christmas of my own. <br />
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In the winter of 1990, there was precisely one item on my list to Santa: the Power Glove. The idea of controlling my NES games via cybernetic arm was the dream of every eight year old boy in America. And having long since replaced any sense of responsible consumerism with Saturday morning cartoons, I was sold. And who could blame me? Do you remember the commercial?<br />
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Or its brief appearance on feature-length marketing triumph, The Wizard?<br />
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How could I resist? I was powerless! You heard Lucas, the Power Glove is BAD.<br />
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After a shameful amount of begging, I got my wish. I remember several outright refusals from my parents, but the fat man in red (my dad in sweatpants) came through in the end. And for what it's worth, that's all I got that year. <br />
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<a href="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070508204825/egamia/images/thumb/b/bd/Powerglove.jpg/606px-Powerglove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" oda="true" src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070508204825/egamia/images/thumb/b/bd/Powerglove.jpg/606px-Powerglove.jpg" width="320" /></a>After 10 minutes of celebration, 20 minutes of setup and instruction manual comprehension, and one near-return when my parents realized Power Glove ownership also required mounting that gigantic sensor bar to your television, it was clear that I'd been duped. As a controller replacement, The Power Glove complete garbage. It was a rubber and plastic badge of shame that weighed heavy on my eight-year-old arm. </div>
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The idea of making Mario run, jump, swim, and climb by waving your hand around in from the TV sounds ridiculous because it is. And why would you even want to? More than 20 years later, we're just now getting to the point where those types of controls are possible, and it still isn't that convincing...or fun.</div>
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But don't get me wrong. I played the hell out of my Power Glove, just not in the way it was intended. Typically, I'd forgo the motion control and use the D-pad mounted to the top. And sometimes I'd just wear it around the house for the bad assitude.<br />
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What are your favorite game-related Christmas memories? What's on your list for Santa this year? <br />
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Let me know!<br />
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<br />Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-88246395186952571852011-12-07T19:51:00.001-05:002011-12-07T20:06:19.327-05:00Kinectimals, now with fatalities!Cinnamon, yes!<br />
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/AEUULIs_UWE/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AEUULIs_UWE&fs=1&source=uds" />
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<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AEUULIs_UWE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-40267890196609268792011-12-06T18:59:00.001-05:002011-12-06T19:46:56.582-05:00Back with Obligatory Vacation PhotosWhat up, guys?<br />
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Here's the thing: when you take a couple weeks in November to sail around the South Caribbean, and then come home to a game like Battlefield 3, it's pretty easy to forget about your previous commitments. For example, I used to be a pretty avid runner, but I haven't put on my running shoes in the past month (in my defense, Cleveland winter makes that increasingly easy to do), and I also used to post on this blog (discovering that you're half-way decent at Battlefield makes <em>that</em> increasingly easy to do). Anyway, I'm back and I have some game-related vacation photos to share!<br />
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Here's a Galaga/Ms. Pacman machine I stumbled upon while wandering the beach in Aruba:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6enwN0DgM82HnYuZBdR_hCknAxZHcUwkFliugi4R8ViIyeMj9UTyLqVzclWZaDqsVUg6H7ljfzh8EGnBC36eHP00_fwg7ICYH4qm4nXe-KB5vtqv8cTREh8v-ENVAur7Ajdv3oFIoz_Pd/s1600/IMG_3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6enwN0DgM82HnYuZBdR_hCknAxZHcUwkFliugi4R8ViIyeMj9UTyLqVzclWZaDqsVUg6H7ljfzh8EGnBC36eHP00_fwg7ICYH4qm4nXe-KB5vtqv8cTREh8v-ENVAur7Ajdv3oFIoz_Pd/s400/IMG_3183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I didn't have an opportunity to play it because the guy running the cigar shop was an intimidating, intimidating man, and I was afraid of him. And there's nowhere to put change in a speedo. I'm not even sure if it took quarters, or local currency (fun fact: that's the Aruban Florin). That night ended with me getting drunk on a catamaran, and then going souvenir shopping. Still quite drunk.</div>
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Next, here's the shop window of a game store on teh Dutch island of Curacao:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1ksE0XR9IV_BWAf7tqCBVKZAS2Vxp-oMRx-f3vAfX7u49VSW5mrqRQ2K7BFxtmr2C_hARug9ysTSQQ0-d90X05n2_0rl-JSPoM4hNbT_LgVA4CnAshkk1CajT3Ql3ENW_litR-7Ry_M6/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1ksE0XR9IV_BWAf7tqCBVKZAS2Vxp-oMRx-f3vAfX7u49VSW5mrqRQ2K7BFxtmr2C_hARug9ysTSQQ0-d90X05n2_0rl-JSPoM4hNbT_LgVA4CnAshkk1CajT3Ql3ENW_litR-7Ry_M6/s400/IMG_3317.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I don't know about you, but when I think "video games," I think Boolchand's. Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, Uncharted 3, Arkham City, Gears 3. Damn! That's one good looking window. </div>
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And finally, this is the arcade on the cruise ship:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkai5z9N-pjwiRMsg7bmxxgAGGeFoHaITui0VzWO7zA4c2t2JHGIAvvMXsxDUZep4jU95iOBk3gRXfftc-ZX5Ehy172oPwuNcxQ0ec4MRoDjHXkEaRD35a5bTzxYvWeSnSJoAaqh7UttDn/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkai5z9N-pjwiRMsg7bmxxgAGGeFoHaITui0VzWO7zA4c2t2JHGIAvvMXsxDUZep4jU95iOBk3gRXfftc-ZX5Ehy172oPwuNcxQ0ec4MRoDjHXkEaRD35a5bTzxYvWeSnSJoAaqh7UttDn/s400/IMG_3167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Big Buck Hunter, Cruisin' Exotica, The Fast and the Furious (original recipe <em>and</em> Super Bikes), plus the House of the Dead 2 and a air hockey table--honestly not a bad selection for a seven-year-old boat, but where's the DDR machine? I would have been all over that (and then all off of that) on one of the particularly rough days at sea.</div>
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And just for the hell of it, here are a few of my favorite non-game-related shots from the trip. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV9MPB5lsEnKt-PvQoZhcRQekwJ08ZY1nXdXhL2qpaOeJRMfiHOLJ48UnTsz3OIWlaBqZEn3tO6Pwby9mGn501E4URYRFWOOZsCfTJYf04vfNSom-AVIGuVYHs3qg1egLhTf5KqTxzM2H/s1600/IMG_3295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV9MPB5lsEnKt-PvQoZhcRQekwJ08ZY1nXdXhL2qpaOeJRMfiHOLJ48UnTsz3OIWlaBqZEn3tO6Pwby9mGn501E4URYRFWOOZsCfTJYf04vfNSom-AVIGuVYHs3qg1egLhTf5KqTxzM2H/s400/IMG_3295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-38855990151192766482011-11-09T16:57:00.000-05:002011-11-09T16:58:33.489-05:00What the Wednesday: ChillThe bags are packed, the dog's at the sitter, but What the Wednesday lives on!<br />
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To commemorate my upcoming vacation (by the way, I'll be away for the next two weeks), here's a picture I snapped from the time I wandered into Tijuana:<br />
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If you've never been (and by all means, you should never, ever find out for yourself), Tijuana is famous for three things: painted donkeys, funny smells, and cheap drugs. And if you're there for the drugs, I can't recommend Dr. House Pharmacy enough. <br />
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There's no better place to be if you're stricken with a nasty case of red, yellow, or *gasp!* blue.Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-77655676006338235562011-11-08T21:26:00.000-05:002011-11-08T21:26:31.245-05:00Contest Compatible: Results Episode!Welcome back!<br />
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After a week of spamming your Facebook and Twitter feeds with my "CONTEST: blah blah blah I'm really important blah blah blah video games!" posts, I'm very excited to say that we have a winner of the very first Backward Compatible giveaway!<br />
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Before I announce the winner, let's go over the rules one more time: <br />
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Those of you who "liked" or retweeted my contest post would be assigned a randomly generated three-digit number. Then after a week, I'd race on Mario Circuit 3. The person with the assigned number closest to the last three digits of my total race time would win the prize.<br />
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This was a nail-biter, kids. Seriously. The winner was decided by <em>two hundredths of a second</em>. That's bananas (and a Mario Kart joke). It was also a really great race. As Toad, I was crushing it the first two laps, then the computer reeled me back in with a laser-guided poison mushroom toss. Once I grew back regular size, I spent the rest of the race running off the course and smashing into walls trying to catch up. I squeeked out a 4th place finish just ahead of Yoshi.<br />
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And here's the result:<br />
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With a time of 2:01:67 Derek Manke from Facebook wins Quasimodo, my janky (albeit fully functional) SNES! His assigned number was 196. Two hundredths of a second separated his number from the next closest. Sorry, Adam.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Congratulations, Derek!</span></strong></div>
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Thanks to everyone for participating! I hope that you had as much fun as I did with this stupid contest. Let's do it again soon!</div>Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336630982722613863.post-25638247406312422072011-11-06T21:11:00.000-05:002011-11-06T21:11:08.126-05:00Community Spotlight: Racketboy.comPlease allow me to jump to a conclusion. You're here for one of two reasons:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhqgC_OVW7d7_7PI99YV-RqQJ3Jw2UT9usmcVlNusmILJxzDV6m1ZlN2jGOrI_g9n07sVeJQk-kRZtK8nb6250sC-CTPOdM9zt2gVS4REgGFZtsPigqjH6dvGug8nncy96K1Aww3uiuD1/s1600/RB+Header.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhqgC_OVW7d7_7PI99YV-RqQJ3Jw2UT9usmcVlNusmILJxzDV6m1ZlN2jGOrI_g9n07sVeJQk-kRZtK8nb6250sC-CTPOdM9zt2gVS4REgGFZtsPigqjH6dvGug8nncy96K1Aww3uiuD1/s320/RB+Header.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a>1) You like video games old and new</div>
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2) You've been linked here as part an elaborate pyramid scheme<br />
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Either way, I really appreciate you stopping by, especially if you're here as part of my pyramid scheme. (that's another cool $0.13.) However, if you're here because you appreciate video games, you should also know that this isn't the only place on the web for news, reviews, culture, fart jokes, and the like.<br />
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One of my favorite gaming websites, <a href="http://racketboy.com/">Racketboy.com</a>, is a place I discovered a couple years ago as the result of an uber-generic search for "retro gaming" on the Google. Go ahead and try it now. I'll wait. It'll be the third link down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSoP46qmrjcrC3zy4WpmMQzc8SfXtNW1eqGGfQps1PLq41AEM0W-kefMFNmCAuiVvfIm2MBGRJib3h4WDRNsum79sXi7F0dtwuDyzz4AdL9y4q7ARuQbtptgMh9wqbAz_FPbIg27P49VS/s1600/BC+Homepage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSoP46qmrjcrC3zy4WpmMQzc8SfXtNW1eqGGfQps1PLq41AEM0W-kefMFNmCAuiVvfIm2MBGRJib3h4WDRNsum79sXi7F0dtwuDyzz4AdL9y4q7ARuQbtptgMh9wqbAz_FPbIg27P49VS/s400/BC+Homepage.JPG" width="400" /></a>Racketboy is the sort of website that my little Duckhunt dog-and-pony show aspires to be. Way more than the obligatory discussion forum (which is great, but more on that later), it's also full of incredibly entertaining and informative articles, including game and console buyers' guides, store and arcade reviews, news features, and whatever else is going on in the world of retro gaming.</div>
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For a collector like myself, my favorites are from the <em><a href="http://www.racketboy.com/guide/cheapest-video-games-worth-your-time" target="_blank">Best Games Under $10</a></em> and <em><a href="http://www.racketboy.com/guide/hidden-gems" target="_blank">Hidden Gems</a> </em>series. I'm not ashamed to admit that I've been known to run off to the local game store whenever a new one of these are published. (Note to self: find a copy of Panzer Dragoon Orta.)<br />
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If you're like me and so behind on games that really old ones are still new, don't fret! Racketboy's <a href="http://www.racketboy.com/together-retro" target="_blank">Together Retro</a> feature has you covered. Every month, they pick a new (old) game and you get the chance to play through it with your friends like it's 1989 all over again. <br />
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Before you start, they'll give you some nice background information on the game of the month, plus several options on where to find it. After that, it's up to you to give it a shot, posting your thoughts on the game as you progress.Think of it like the Oprah's Book Club of retro gaming.<br />
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<em>YOU get a copy of Shining Force! And YOU get a copy of Shining Force!</em><br />
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Finally, I can't get enough of the Racketboy <a href="http://www.racketboy.com/forum/" target="_blank">discussion forums</a>. I'm usually guilty of just lurking in the shadows, without much desire to share (weird for a guy with a blog, right?), but it's easy to find something to talk about here. Whatever game platform or genre you're into, there's someone talking about it on Racketboy, and best of all: no trolls!<br />
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Naturally, one of my favorite areas is the Marketplace. I've gotten some great deals on some incredible games over the years. My copies of Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, Secret of Mana, and several Neo Geo games all came from the Racketboy marketplace. Beats the heck out of ebay! <br />
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And if that wasn't enough, Racketboy also has a <a href="http://www.racketboy.com/retro/podcast" target="_blank">podcast</a>! The in-depth, informative interviews with game developers and industry insiders make for a great listen!<br />
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So what are you waiting for? Go sign up over at Racketboy! And while you're there, say hello--I'm Diesel_Dan on the forums. <br />
<img height="21" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhqgC_OVW7d7_7PI99YV-RqQJ3Jw2UT9usmcVlNusmILJxzDV6m1ZlN2jGOrI_g9n07sVeJQk-kRZtK8nb6250sC-CTPOdM9zt2gVS4REgGFZtsPigqjH6dvGug8nncy96K1Aww3uiuD1/s320/RB+Header.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 509px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 81px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Dan Michaudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889293033437482478noreply@blogger.com1