Tekken: Blood Vengeance Review

Tonight I went to the premier of Tekken: Blood Vengeance. The movie was a mixed bag of cool fight scenes, odd humor, and cheesy dialogue. The movie was shown in 3-D, which looked quite amazing and disorienting at the same time. Honestly, I could have done without 3-D, but this was the only way to watch the film in theaters, so I can't complain too much. Let's start with the plot...(beware some spoilers below)

The movie mainly follows the adventures of Ling Xiaoyu and Alisa Bosconivitch. Ling Xiaoyu gets transferred to an international school by Anna, in a convert effort to capture a young man named Shin. Shin was infected with a rare mutagen that grants immortality and each of the Mishima men want him dead or alive. Xiaoyu and Alisa both fall for the guy, and ultimately join forces to rescue him. Did I mention Devil Jin and Devil Kazuya fight Dragon Ball Z style?

The plot has plenty of cameos from characters like Lee (who is hilarious), Lei, and Ganryu. Don't expect everyone to appear however, as the movie doesn't follow a tournament plot line. I admired this idea, as most fighting game animes or films try to cram in every character and it always seems too forced for my liking. Keeping the cast down to a select few allowed for more character exploration and a descent story. Don't go into Tekken: BV expecting Shakespeare, but it is certainly better than the recent Tekken live action film or any Uwe Boll nonsense.

The movie has plenty of funny scenes. Panda has her shining moments but the show stealer is the Mishima misfit, Lee. He is a teacher and odd caretaker for school girls, Alisa and Xiaoyu. His lines are delivered in a superbly aloof manner, and the audience cracked up whenever he appeared. Unfortunately, the movie also has plenty of unintentional humor from poorly written dialogue.

The voice acting seemed to employ every well-known anime voice actor and actress in the biz. This gave the movie a strong dub, but also distracts with jarring performances from Jin, who sounds way too old and Anna, who sounds really over the top whenever she speaks. Dialogue is hit and miss, mainly miss. One scene toward the end had the audience cracking up as every other line seemed like a gay innuendo. It started to feel like Tobias from Arrested Development wrote the script at this point...what a blow hard!

The fight scenes are what the fans came to see, and for the most part, Tekken: BV doesn't disappoint. Alisa's chainsaw mode gets represented to dramatic effect, and Xiaoyu looks cool using her fighting style to avoid the berserk android. Later in the film, the whole Mishima family throws down, and it is really badass to see your favorite signature moves being used to tear down Kyoto Castle. The devil battle is the film's highlight, with an unfortunate lackluster "fight" occurring afterwards that feels anti-climatic and very "un-Tekken" like.

 Overall, this movie should be a real treat for Tekken fans. However, I would avoid this movie unless you know the Tekken cast or love CGI films, because there isn't much background story given for those unfamiliar with the franchise. The movie will be released on PS3 as Tekken Hybrid, a dual pack with the film on Bluray and a HD upgrade for fan favorite, Tekken Tag Team Tournament. The movie with debut in Japan in September. Hopefully Namco sees fit to release Tekken Hybrid on Xbox 360 as well.

Collecting Saturn Imports

I have become a Sega Saturn addict lately. Between Hyper Duel and Elevator Action Returns, I am loving this old system's beautiful 2-D graphics and lovely control pad. Collecting Japanese Saturn games is not the cheapest hobby. However, I feel inclined to do so, because the games are very fun and cover art is usually so fucking awesome.

 Example of a cool cover and classic underboob.

Prices for import Saturn games range from cheap (Puyo Puyo Sun is only $5) to the insanely expensive (Radiant Silvergun is $250+.) The Saturn is one of the few systems where the rare games are usually worth the money. There are a few stinkers like the ultra rare and horrid, Final Fight Revenge, but for the most part, the hard to find games are said to be worth the price tag. For fans of arcade style fighters and shooters, the Saturn import library is essential. Unlike the Dreamcast, almost every good game from Capcom and SNK stayed in Japan.

Here is my current wish list:

Batsugun Early bullet hell shooter from Toaplan, the last game before the company's demise

Princess Crown The original Vanillaware game, looks very similar to Odin Sphere

Dracula XX The Saturn version of this hit had new levels and a playable Maria added in

Blast Wind Cool looking shooter from Technosoft, creators of the Thunderforce series

Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter Versus game with a console exclusive character, superb arcade port

I also want this shirt:

Awesome Box Art of the Week: The King of Fighters 97 (Saturn)

Bad Box Art of the Week: White Men Can't Jump

Help Bring Back MML 3

Join the fight against Capcom's MML 3 cancellation. Go to the Facebook page 100,000 Strong for Bringing Back Mega Man Legends 3. Only  the fans can convince them to change their mind. It seems impossible, but we have to at least try.

Is Mega Man Dead?

In recent days Capcom has broken many hearts. First Mega Man Legends 3 was cancelled and today it was revealed that Rock nor his X iteration will be included in the upcoming cashgrab, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. This is personally upsetting on many levels. One of my earliest gaming memories is renting Mega Man 3 and scribbling down the continue passwords in hopes of beating it one day. At about the age of ten, I experienced Mega Man X, and found it to be one my favorite games on the SNES (and it continues to be to this day.) Later I would love the Mega Man Legends series and the Mega Man Zero series on GBA. This is not to mention my retro collecting of the original series and the X series. I even own the Mega Man Complete Works art book and a model kit of Rock Man from Japan. I love the Blue Bomber.

 Earlier this year, Capcom canned Mega Man Universe, a downloadable game which gave players the ability to make their own Mega Man game Little Big Planet style. Many speculated it was due to the product being low quality, so I sucked up that lame excuse and carried on. I kept holding out for Mega Man Legends 3, knowing in my heart, Capcom wouldn't cancel something that so many people wanted for so long for (and still do.) How wrong I was...

MML 3 was using fan input to decide how characters worked and what type of cast the game would have; the project seemed like a labor of love right from the start and inspired me to take an interest in the creation process, even swearing to buy a 3DS when the Prototype version emerged on the eShop channel. However, long time Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune left Capcom last year, and things started to unravel. He despised the top guys at Capcom for their incompetence and lack of fan appreciation, and left to form his own studio. Without Inafune, suddenly everything Mega Man started to come an end, with the final nail in the coffin being MML3's cancellation which could be due to a lack of 3DS sales or an intentional stab at Inafune's legacy from spiteful corporate assholes.

The series hasn't sold too well in the past few years, with the exception of Mega Man 9. However, many fans (myself included) feel like Mega Man is the mascot for Capcom. It would be like Nintendo cancelling all of their Mario titles, fans would certainly question what the hell is going on in the corporate office. Capcom of Europe is blaming MML3 fans for the cancellation, citing a general lack of interest among gamers...I call bullshit on that excuse. For me, today's leak of the entire roster of UMvC 3 confirmed that Capcom no longer cares about the Mega Man franchise. Capcom ran polls on their site to see which popular characters should make into the MvC sequel, and Mega Man X ranked 2nd overall. This didn't seem to matter to Capcom who decided Frank West is a better character to have in the game, when no one really gives a shit about him.

Unlike Capcom, I will say farewell old friend. It has been a good ride, Rock. I will continue to throw in Mega Man 2 or Mega Man X whenever I need a good action game to remind me of why I love video games in the first place.

RIP MEGA MAN
December 1987-March 2010

Bad Box Art of the Week: Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu

Awesome Box Art of the Week: F-Zero X (Japan)

Here's the Lousy Club Nintendo 2011 Gold and Platinum Rewards

This year's Club Nintendo Gold and Platinum rewards are now available. Gold members get calendars...isn't it always calendars for Gold? Platinum gets a a Super Mario Bros. themed pin set. Both rewards are really crappy compared to previous years' Mario statue and exclusive Punch Out download. It has been a bad year to be a Nintendo fan...

Sonic 20th Anniversary Fan Art

It is Sonic's 20th anniversary this year. I used to love the Sonic the Hedgehog games as child. However, these days most of the Sonic games are pretty bad. I hope Sonic Generations reproduces the good old days of speed and fun platforming levels. Here is some fan art to celebrate this Sega All Star and his friends.

Don't feel left out Nintendo fans. Here is one for you...

Check Out my Gitaroo Man Article on HG101

About a month ago, I wrote an article on my favorite music game, Gitaroo Man, for Hardcore Gaming 101. The article has been posted now, so go check it out. I tried to be as thorough and as in-depth as possible for the game and it's PSP port. A big thanks goes to Kurt Kulata for editing and adding screen shots as well additional information. Here is a link: http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/gitarooman/gitarooman.htm

My Video for Operation Rainfall

I used to love Nintendo, they were so good in the 1990s. Now days it is all casual games and shovelware, with a first party game coming once or twice a year. It sucks to be a Wii owner in 2011. Here is my (kinda crappy) video that seeks to inspire others to speak out against Nintendo of America and their dubious track record of localizing pretty much nothing (I miss you Mother 3.) Come on Nintendo, bring on the good JRPGs!

Operation Rainfall

Nintendo fans have gone to war with Nintendo. The overwhelming lack of cool announcements at E3 finally pissed off game starved Wii fans, and thus brought on Operation Rainfall. The objective is to see Xenoblade, Last Story and Pandora's Tower localized for America. In order to achieve this fans are begging for these games on Nintendo's Facebook, Twitter, and by good old-fashioned snail mail. Will Reggie care?

Well, this campaign has along way to go to wake up the shovelware producing ass clowns at Nintendo, but let's hope it makes a difference. Mother 3 was abandoned, but Xenoblade and Last Story are going to Europe; so it is much more cost effective to port these games to the US market since they will be in English already. To show monetary support, fans have made Monado (Xenoblade's old US title) the number one game order on Amazon as of this moment!

If this somehow works, I would hope that Nintendo picks Earth Seeker and Night of the Sacrifice, two more lovely Japanese exclusives. Let's hope that just this once Nintendo listens to their hardcore fans.

Random Screenshot 33: Super Mario Bros. 3

Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) Nintendo 1990

Super Mario Bros. 3 is one of the best games ever made. The title screen above speaks volumes about the quality of this sequel. Nintendo gave players a colorful and comical introduction to their much anticipated game by demonstrating a new leaf power-up and giving Mario some personality (noted in his impatient face as he waits for the leaf to drop in the screenshot.) This is the Mario game that showcased what the old Nintendo was truly capable of, and introduced flying, secret levels, and the Koopa Kids. If you are interested, the movie, The Wizard, is like a two hour commercial for Super Mario Bros. 3 starring Fred Savage, who went on to do pretty much nothing with his life.

Awesome Box Art of the Week: Alisia Dragoon

Bad Box Art of the Week: Gex 3

What if Deathsmiles was on Game Boy?

I found this cool pic very randomly today. I can just imagine how shitty Deathsmiles would have played on the original Game Boy. Would I still buy it? Yes.

Awesome Box Art of the Week: Zangeki no Reginleiv

Follow Me on Twitter

I caved in and set up a Twitter account. If you want to know my thoughts on gaming, or just random nonsense, follow: GameBraniac. I will follow you, if you follow me. Remember, you are awesome.

Random Screenshot 32: Metal Slug 3

Metal Slug 3 (Neo Geo) SNK 2000

Metal Slug 3 was one of the final games made by SNK before they sold out to Playmore and Eolith. This final effort represents the finest Metal Slug game in the series. Vehicles are aplenty, boss battles are very original, and the difficulty is hardcore. The screenshot above highlights the final boss to one of the longest stages in an arcade style run n' gun game. You literally go through a jungle pursuit, into space, onto the alien mothership, into a cloning facility, and finally a dissent into Earth's atmosphere to battle the ugly behemoth shown above. This battle has excellent heroic sounding music, and simply feels really cool as you battle a huge alien in the sky. Honestly this incredible fight should have been the closing for a great series. However new Metal Slug titles continue to be released, yet every post-SNK Metal Slug game has ranged from merely forgetful to completely horrid.