Awesome Box Art of the Week: Final Fantasy X International

Bad Box Art of the Week: Rock N Roll Racing

New Games for the Hardcore

If you are like me, then this Summer has been kind of a drag for new Japanese games. Sure we got Catherine and Super Street Fighter 4 Mega Hyper Arcade Fighting Lord edition, but I can't recall much else. In the coming weeks and months, there is some hope on the horizon. Here is a list of games to consider purchasing if you are fucking hardcore:

Solatorobo is a Mega Man Legends-esque action RPG from CyberConnect2. The company worked for nearly 10 years on this game, as a follow-up to the obscure PSX classic, Tail Concerto. Why should you care? This maybe the last good Nintendo DS game that hits American shores. Everyone who has played it says the game is pretty great including 1up's perpetually bitter, Jeremy Parish. Pre-orders get a soundtrack, which is also pretty nifty. The game is coming out 9/27/2011.

Persona 2 Innocent Sin will finally reach the US in the form a PSP remake. The game was originally released in the late days of the PSX, but some issues such as a homosexual party member, kept Persona 2 in Japan, with the US only getting it's follow up Eternal Punishment. If you ever questioned what the hell is going in the back story of EP or simply wandered why Tatsuya is so damn emo, then get this game. The game will be released 9/20/2011.

 

 The King of Fighters 13 is finally coming to consoles after rocking Japanese arcades for the past year. After the abysmal KOF 12, I wasn't sure what to think, but I have heard only good things about this sequel, so I will give SNK one more chance. The story finishes the Ash Crimson arc for people who actually follow the story in fighting games (all two of you.) The pre-order offers an amazing bonus, a 4-CD soundtrack spanning the history of the KOF franchise. Get hyped. KOF 13 is coming 10/25/2011.

 El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron looks insanely cool. The graphics are sort of in Okami's style, but instead of medieval Japan, you go through different angel's versions of an ideal earth, all of which are visually striking. The combat seems lacking from the demo I played, but something this beautiful can't be ignored. El Shaddai arrives 8/16/2011.

My Top 25 Games of All Time

As an avid game for over 21 years, I have often pondered what if I could only play 25 games for the rest of my life. The list is a tough one, as I have played thousands of games. However, certain great games to come to mind almost immediately. Here is a list of my favorite 25 games of all time, in no real particular order.

25. Dynamite Headdy (Sega Genensis)  Crazy Treasure developed platformer that is too weird not to love
24. Dungeons and Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara (Arcade) Great brawler, like Golden Axe on steroids

23. Metal Gear Solid 3 (PS2)  Metal Gear + the Cold War = one brilliant game

22. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Genesis)  The best Sonic game ever also has a wonderful soundtrack
21. Street Fighter 3: Third Strike (Arcade)  Still stands as the best 2D fighter, seems to be made for combo and parry experts

20. Super Street Fighter 2 (Arcade) Almost as good as Third Strike, great for nostalgia

19. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)  My favorite game as a child that made me a gaming nut for life
18. Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX)  Maddeningly deep strategy RPG with an epic story and great cast

17. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX) Greatest Castlevania game, Alucard is such a badass
16. Final Fantasy 6 (SNES)  Excellent Final Fantasy with some of the best graphics on the Super Nintendo
15. Chrono Trigger (SNES)  Great story, beautiful music, cool bosses, and plenty of replay value

14. Mother 3 (GBA)  Quirky game with an oddly compelling storyline and many emotional moments
13. Mushihimesama Futari (Xbox 360)  Bullet hell shooter from Cave, masterful stage and boss design
12. Mega Man 2 (NES)  Tough as nails, but so satisfying...I also love this soundtrack for some reason
11. Marvel vs. Capcom (Dreamcast)  The original one felt so perfect and kinda balanced, I still love the graphics
10. Gunstar Heroes (Sega Genesis)  The greatest run and gun shooter on the Genesis with a unique sense of humor and a flare for the dramatic

09. Powerstone 2 (Dreamcast)  One of the best multi-player games ever mad, so many items to be crafted
08. Guardian Heroes (Saturn)  Beat-em up with multiple endings and tons of characters to choose from
07. Earthbound (SNES)  The precursor to Mother 3, hilarious and endearing plot, another 16 bit triumph
06. Super Metroid (SNES)  The best Metroid with one of the greatest final battles of all time

05. Mega Man X (SNES) The natural evolution of Mega Man 2, the perfect Mega Man game
04. Persona 4 (PS2)  Teens going inside of a television to find a mad serial killer, count me in
03. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360)  Life on the frontier was hell, but man was it pretty, best video game ending ever as well

02. Super Mario World (SNES)  The Mario game that introduced Yoshi and the cape, it has so many secrets
01. Final Fantasy 4 (SNES) The first real J-RPG in my opinion, a classic in every possible way

Honorable Mentions: Suikoden 2, Lunar Silver Star Story, Persona 3, Snatcher, Policenauts, Sonic CD, Ninja Gaiden, Shenmue, Crazy Taxi, Final Fantasy 7, Deathsmiles, Sexy Parodius, The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past, Mass Effect 2, Valkyria Chronicles, and Gitaroo Man.

Random Screenshot 35: Akumajou Dracula X Gekka no Yasoukyoku

 

Akumajou Dracula X Gekka no Yasoukyoku (Saturn) Konami Nagoya 1998

The Saturn was a 2-D powerhouse, so it made sense to port Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which was arguably the PSX's best looking 2-D game, to the system. However, Konami farmed the work out to their less talented Nagoya branch and the results were a mixed bag. On the surface it looks and sounds like the PSX version, but that is where the similarities end. There is heavy slowdown through out the game which makes some boss fights very annoying. If multiple enemies surround your character there is heavier slowdown which can cause cheap deaths and frustration. Sound effects are also muffled for some odd reason. On the upside, Maria and Richter are immediately selectable. Maria plays like a mix of Richter and a fighting game character with command inputs for her magic attacks. She is an absolute tank that makes the game far too easy, but she still plays better than the version of her selectable in the PSP port. New levels and enemies were added, but both are lackluster and forgettable, as is the addition of some badly done remixes from classic Casltevania titles such as a version of Bloody Tears that sounds like it being played on a kid's Casio keyboard. If you love the PSX version, give the Saturn version a look. It is not a superior version of the classic game in any shape or form, but some of the wacky new additions are worth checking out if you are a hardcore fan or Castlevania guru.

75,000 Hits

Thank you to everyone who gives this blog a look. It is now over 75,000 page views, which is pretty awesome. I am actually trying to decide on a contest for when it reaches 100,000. That is far away, but it will make this gaming geek a happy man to give back to his readers. Please leave any suggestions for a contest in the comments box. I look forward to reading your suggestions.

Fan Art of Metal Gear

I am a big fan of Metal Gear. The series has a great plot (for the most part), amazing visuals, and tight gameplay. I still hope Metal Gear Rising turns out to be a good game, of course Raiden has much to prove since he was such a little bitch in Metal Gear Solid 2. Let's hope cyborg Raiden  is less whiny and more manly! Anyway, here is some fan art from Pixiv for this amazing series...

Here is one more picture for you Snatcher fans.

Random Screenshot 34: Queen's Gate Spiral Chaos

Queen's Gate: Spiral Chaos (PSP) Namco Bandai 2011

Do you like Super Robot Wars? Do you like scantily clad women? Do you have a PSP? If you answered yes to at least two of these questions then consider importing Queen's Gate: Spiral Chaos. The game plays like SRW, but uses the characters from the Queen's Blade universe and various fighting game heroines instead. Notable guests include Mai from Fatal Fury, Cham Cham from Samurai Showdown, and Noelle Vermillion from Blazblue. The game could be written off as mere fan service since the goal in most fights is to shred the opponent's clothing, but there is some heavy strategy involved in the battle system as well. Sure reward videos do play of the girls frolicking in a lake and there is the all important hot springs scene...um...well okay the game is pretty pervy. However, that doesn't mean Queen's Blade: Spiral Chaos is a lame game, with all of the cool crossover cameos and plenty of story routes, this is a strategy RPG for otaku and SRW nerds alike.

Bad Box Art of the Week: Dino City

Awesome Box Art of the Week: Castlevania The Dracula X Chronicles

A Big Book for Valkyria Chronicles Fans

 

For fans of the PS3 game,Valkyria Chronicles, Udon is releasing an English version of the Valkyria Chronicles Design Archive. The book is a whopping 400 pages of sketches, design details, and developer interviews. It is will be released in a few days, so get on over to Amazon and pre-order while it is still cheap. For those who haven't played this game, drop what you are doing and go get it. Valkyria Chronicles is the best PS3 exclusive and sports some of the fanciest graphics pretty much ever, I would say it is even in my top ten games of this console generation. Support good games and cool design books by ordering this gem, we don't get nearly enough of these in the US. It also includes bikini art, which should sway some of you who like anime T&A.

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